Social Media Outreach: Internet Safety Education for Biak Public Elementary School Students

Abstract

The rapid development of digital technology has led elementary school children to become familiar with and use the internet and social media in their daily lives. This situation demands an understanding of safe and responsible internet use from an early age. A social media education program was implemented at Biak Elementary School as an effort to improve students' digital literacy. The program involved several stages: planning, observation, material development, and implementation.

Observations indicated that some students were using devices to access social media, but did not yet understand the limitations of use and the potential risks. Therefore, the educational materials focused on introducing the benefits of the internet, the dangers of inappropriate use, the importance of protecting personal data, and the ethics of communicating in the digital space. The program included presentations, interactive discussions, and examples of everyday situations relevant to the students' experiences.

The results showed an increase in students' understanding of safe and responsible internet use. Students began to recognize the basic rules of social media and demonstrated greater caution in their interactions in the digital space. This education program serves as the first step in building students' digital literacy awareness, enabling them to use social media more wisely and minimize potential risks.