Home Viral trends UP Police Enlists Social Media Influencers and Students as ‘Digital Warriors’

UP Police Enlists Social Media Influencers and Students as ‘Digital Warriors’

3
0

In a move to tackle fake news and cybercrime, the Uttar Pradesh Police has launched a state-wide expansion of its ‘Digital Warriors’ initiative, integrating social media influencers and college students into its network.

Building a Digital Defence Network

The initiative, led by Director General of Police Prashant Kumar, aims to:

  • Counter misinformation and fake news effectively.
  • Raise awareness about cybercrime and prevention strategies.
  • Train citizens as cyber trainers to spread knowledge across communities.
  • Highlight the commendable work of the police through digital channels.

From Pilot Project to State-Wide Expansion

The programme stems from a successful pilot conducted before the Maha Kumbh Mela, where influencers and students actively countered misinformation. Its success prompted the state-wide rollout.

Key achievements so far:

  • Over 10 lakh digital volunteers connected via WhatsApp.
  • Around 2 lakh policemen engaged through community groups.
  • Enhanced reach with new participants across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube.

Engaging the Youth for Long-Term Impact

Recognising the potential of young minds, the programme focuses on training college and university students. These students will develop critical thinking skills to analyse and verify information, ultimately becoming digital warriors for:

  • Reporting cybercrimes and fake news.
  • Spreading awareness in their families and social circles.

Workshops, Cyber Clubs, and Creative Engagement

The initiative will conduct:

  1. Workshops in schools, colleges, and police lines featuring experts in cybercrime and fact-checking.
  2. Establishment of Cyber Clubs in educational institutions, with a teacher acting as the nodal officer.
  3. Creative activities like:
    • Poster-making and slogan-writing.
    • Social media content creation.
    • Short-story competitions.

These efforts aim to empower the younger generation while building a robust defence against digital threats.

The Digital Warriors initiative reflects a proactive approach by the UP Police to counter the growing menace of fake news and cybercrime by leveraging the power of community and technology.