AIS promotes cyberwellness
Advanced Info Service (AIS) is promoting digital literacy and online safety among the nation’s youth through a “cyberwellness” programme called Aunjai Cyber.
The initiative aims to raise digital knowledge standards or digital intelligence quotient (DQ) in kids by developing an online content system that filters inappropriate content through AIS Secure Net (in beta testing) and Google Family Link.
According to AIS chief executive Somchai Lertsutiwong, the company initiated the project under the concept of “If We All Are Networks” in February to contribute to the growth and development of a digital society.
Digital technology has drastically altered lifestyles and exposed people, especially children, to new risks.
The digital society could also negatively impact the environment, such as through e-waste, uncultivated knowledge or inaccurate management of information, leading to an uninformed populace.
Mr Somchai said the Aunjai Cyber project aims to create a protection campaign, raise awareness and develop an online content system focusing on promoting learning and building digital skills.
The programme also intends to protect users from the risks of the internet through digital solutions.
AIS is the first company in Thailand that has imported DQ, a 360-degree learning kit to develop digital skills and intelligence in children to build their defences when entering the online world using smartphones and tablets.
The learning kit has been used to train children in more than 110 countries, translated into 21 languages by 100 partners.
Results are being shared across the education sector in the country, including an open portal learning centre for all Thais at schools or institutions at www.ais.co.th/dq.
Mr Somchai said the project is developing an online content system through the AIS Secure Net service that filters out online content which is inappropriate for children.
“The phenomenon is obviously reflected in a variety of research,” he said. “In the year 2018, Thai youths aged between eight and 12 years had internet usage of up to 35 hours per week, which is more than three hours over the worldwide average.”
Mr Somchai said electronic waste is another problem in Thailand.
Last year, Thais dumped 638,000 tonnes of hazardous waste, while only 83,000 tonnes was handled correctly.