Date: 23rd February, 2025
Venue: Balkumari Secondary School, Narayangarh
Rotary Club of Chitwan organized a special seminar on “The Impact of Social Media on Students” at Balkumari Secondary School, Narayangarh, marking 120th Rotary International Day. The event focused on raising awareness among students about the benefits and risks of social media.
Past District Governor Rotary District 3292, Rtn. Rabindra Piya, emphasized the importance of Rotary’s Four-Way Test in ethical decision-making. Resource Person Senior Physician Rtn. Dr. Bhojraj Adhikari highlighted the mental health risks of excessive social media use, urging behavioral changes. Inspector Neelam Tamang from Chitwan District Police Office elaborated on local cybercrime trends, including fraud and online exploitation. She highlighted that many cybercrime cases involve sexual harassment, financial fraud, lottery scams, and unauthorized sharing of passwords and codes, leading to an increase in cyber offenses. She advised people to verify social media information carefully before acting and to seek police assistance immediately in case of any issues.
Senior Advocate Gopilal Devkota warned against legal consequences linked to social media activities. He explained how cybercrimes occur and cautioned that even liking or sharing false or misleading content could make individuals legally accountable. He urged everyone to be mindful of their online activities.
Program Chair Rtn. Bhanu Sharma, President of Rotary Club of Chitwan, emphasized that the seminar, organized on the occasion of 120th Rotary International Day, aimed to educate young students about the negative aspects of social media while encouraging its responsible and beneficial use.
He also provided a brief history of the Rotary movement, which began in Chicago, USA, in 1905, as a global initiative for positive change. The event witnessed the participation of approximately 100 students.
The program was conducted by Rtn. Purushottam Rijal, Secretary of Rotary Club of Chitwan. To commemorate the occasion, a birthday cake-cutting ceremony was held. The Digital Empowerment Society provided technical support for the event.
Approximately 100 students participated in the interactive session. The event also featured a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate Rotary International Day. Digital Empowerment Society provided technical support. With a budget of NPR 25,000, the seminar successfully educated students on responsible digital engagement, helping them make informed choices and stay safe online. A participating student conveyed her feelings and gratitude for gaining knowledge on how to use social media productively. She thanked Rotary for organizing such a valuable program. Resource person Rtn. Dr. Bhoj Raj Adhikari presented a gift to the student.