Department of Mass Communication of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) in collaboration with the India Today Group hosted an informative and engaging workshop on digital literacy on September 1, 2025 at the university campus.

The workshop aimed to educate students and attendees on the growing threats of online scams, cyber fraud and ways to stay safe in the digital world.

Mr. Bal Krishna, Senior Executive Editor of India Today and Ms. Preeti Sarkar, a fashion designer and entrepreneur were the chief guests. Mr. Riddish Dutta, Principal Correspondent of Aajtak, was also present during the enlightening session.

Dr. Harish Kumar, Head, Department of Mass Communication greeted the guests at the outset. Mr. Bal Krishna addressed the audience with a comprehensive session on the anatomy of online scams, how scammers manipulate users, and the immediate steps one should take upon identifying fraudulent activity. His session was filled with real-world examples and practical advice on using government platforms like cybercrime.gov.in to report incidents.

Ms. Preeti Sarkar followed with an engaging talk focused on the role of young digital citizens in preventing the spread of misinformation and avoiding online traps. She shared personal anecdotes and offered tips for maintaining strong digital hygiene, including creating secure passwords, recognising phishing attempts, and safeguarding personal data on social media.

The workshop concluded with a quiz competition with the participants based on the day’s topics. Five students of the department emerged as winners and were awarded. Dr. Harish Kumar was the coordinator of the event.

Srija Bhattacharyya

BA (Hons.) in Mass Communication

Semester 3, 2025.