Media Release
Beltangady, Sep 9: The Mentoring Cell of Sacred Heart College organized an insightful expert talk on the topic of ‘Digital Wellbeing’ on Sep 9. The session was led by the renowned speaker Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, director of Canara Communication Center, Diocese of Mangalore, and an expert in artificial intelligence.
The formal programme was graced by the presence of dignitaries, including Prof Alex Ivan Sequeira, principal of Sacred Heart College, Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, Robin Joseph Sera, IQAC coordinator, and Nelson Monis, coordinator of the mentoring cell. The event commenced with the college prayer, followed by introductory remarks and a warm welcome by Nelson Monis.
In his address, Prof Alex Ivan Sequeira emphasized the relevance of the session, clarifying that the goal was not to discourage the use of mobile phones, electronic gadgets, or social media, but rather to bring awareness to the pros and cons of excessive screen time and the dangers posed by emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. He stressed the importance of mindful digital habits in today’s tech-driven world.
The resource person, Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, delivered a comprehensive talk covering various aspects of digital wellbeing. He discussed the growing threat of deepfake technology, strategies for balancing media consumption, and the risks associated with online platforms, including phishing attacks. His insights into safe social media practices and safeguarding personal information were particularly valuable.
In addition, Fr Anil spoke extensively on the psychological and emotional well-being concerns tied to digital spaces, such as trolling, bullying, blackmail, and narcissism. He also highlighted the importance of cyber safety and cybersecurity in mitigating these risks.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Nelson Monis, who expressed gratitude to the speaker for sharing his expertise. As a token of appreciation, the college’s annual magazine PAVITHRA was presented to Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes.
The event proved to be a valuable learning experience for the students fostering a deeper understanding of digital well-being in an age dominated by technology.