Kazan schoolchildren learn communicate in messenger apps
Gymnasium No. 155 in Kazan hosted an educational session under the “Digital Literacy” project, focusing on the topic “safe communication in messenger apps”.
“Digital Literacy” is a nationwide initiative aimed at helping adults and children improve their digital skills and gain a better understanding of cybersecurity. The project includes a series of animated videos and methodological materials for teachers. All information is available on the official project website and accessible to the public.
Cybercriminals are constantly devising new ways to deceive citizens, with children often being the most vulnerable. They frequently do not recognize the risks associated with careless online interactions. During the lesson, eighth-grade students learned about tools that can help protect against suspicious messages and unwanted content.
“Today, children start using social media from an early age, so it is important to teach them how to communicate safely in messaging apps. Such lessons not only enhance digital literacy but also help young users feel confident and secure in the online environment,” Deputy Minister of Digitalization of Tatarstan Bulat Gabdrahmanov said.
Head of Regional Outreach at Sferum, VK Elvira Safina conducted the lesson for eighth graders.
She explained to schoolchildren how to set up secure access to messaging apps using two-factor authentication. Students also learned about the features of “Safe Mode” and the “Family Protection” settings. This service helps safeguard children, seniors, and other family members from scammers and spam.
“Working with Kazan students is always engaging — they actively participate in discussions, ask many questions and share their own examples,” Safina said.
Developers also prepared a quest within the mini-application “Path in the Network” on the Sferum platform. This game aims to develop students' information security skills. Participants can choose a character and complete tasks based on real-life situations. The game mechanics help them understand the consequences of any action taken online.
Lessons under the “Digital Literacy” programme are held in support of the federal project “Personnel for the Digital Economy,” part of the “Data Economy” national project.