Microsoft Internet Safety, Security and Privacy Initiative for Nigeria (MISSPIN) Campaign
The concern for internet safety is a global phenomenon, especially as those who never had access are increasingly being connected through their computers, mobile phones and other devices. While the prevalence of social networking websites, online commuties and internet-enabled processes should be great news for individual, corporate and government users, the concern for safety remains a major source of concern. A 2007 Internet Crime report listed Nigeria as number three on the list of the world’s top ten online crime spots; and the prevalence of cybercrime among a sizeable number of young Nigerians goes to show the need for immediate concern, especially with the recent boom in mobile service provision and online payment platforms in Nigeria.
Between 1991 and 2008, the number of internet users around the world grew from 4.4 million to 1.4 billion. The collaborative survey conducted in April 2006 by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that 1.5 million Nigerians were internet users at the time, but there are reasons to believe that the present figures are astronomically higher because of the democratization of access through mobile service providers (whose services are used by about 88 million users). While this should be perceived as good news, it also shows the increased dependence on the internet for our work, life and play. This dependence is daily exploited by those who make the internet unsafe for other users. Walking into most cybercafés in Nigeria today, one will notice clusters of young people gathering around public computers for the purpose of manipulating the powers of technology to defraud others and disturb the desired safety of the internet. With the phenomenal growth of mobile phone users and democratization on access to the internet, the issue of internet safety then becomes a matter of global emergency because criminals then have a platform through which they can deploy their vices without the need to show up in person. Unfortunately, these online criminals get better at their vices each time we ignore the need to act fast by promoting internet safety.
The challenge of making the internet as safe as possible is often treated lightly by many individuals, corporations, governments and other establishments in developing economies like Nigeria; hence the need to raise awareness through a social campaign that involves sensitization workshops in selected schools, a one-day event and deliberate follow-up. The social campaign, sponsored by Microsoft within the framework of the Unlimited Program's Internet Safety Initiative will direct the spotlight to the issue of internet safety while also providing a platform for other industry players to work together. The expected outcomes for the 12-month strategy (from October 2008 to September 2009) include:
o Sensitization workshops in pre-selected locations across Nigeria;
o A one-day event -- held on October 25, 2008 -- that drew attention to the issue of internet safety while also providing a platform for stakeholders to work together;
o A follow up plan including MISSPIN Ambassadors' activities across the 11 states where they are based; distribution of Microsoft Digital Literacy CDs to 10,000 youth; production and distribution of campaign stickers; collaboration with a leading musical act/group to produce a song discouraging cybercrime activities; rehabilitation of 25 at-risk youth; etc.
The workshop in each state featured an Opening Ceremony; discussions/demonstrations on Internet Safety, Security and Privacy; talk on strategies to overcome cybercrime; the Quiz competition among secondary school students; and a speech to challenge the young participants to use ICTs to improve their lives positively. The target included youth from various levels (senior secondary and tertiary institutions). The follow-up plan specifically focuses on the need to reduce the number of youth that engage in activities that threaten the safety of the internet. This follow-up project will be built on lessons from best practice efforts that address social ills and it will include a 4-phase process: recruitment, training, internships and business innovation. The recruitment process will seek to identify youth who are engaged in cyber-crime and they will then be trained to use software development tools before being attached to various software companies for 3-month internships. Based on these, the youth will then be encouraged to either seek employment within the software (or relevant) industry or work as independent software developers. The process will also include a mentorship component that allows the interns to benefit beyond technical skills.
At the centre of the 12-month strategy was the one-day event that was hosted in Nigeria’s month of independence, and the event was staged to attract endless attention through partnerships and use of huge entertainment appeal. The one-day awareness event held in one of Nigeria’s most popular events’ venue; was hosted by Owen Gee, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated comedians; featured three of Nigeria’s top-rated musicians; was featured by one Nigeria’s most visible TV entertainment companies; etc. The huge mass appeal and goodwill that the one-day event generated, along with the inspiring stories that will come from the follow-up project, will keep every stakeholder on their toes in relation to internet safety.
Microsoft Internet Safety, Security and Privacy Initiative for Nigeria (MISSPIN) Campaign
