By Ms Linciya Rumao for BIS Mumbai

On August 29, 2026, 52 children from three communities participated in the National YaR Campaign 2026–27 programme at Bosco Boys Home, Borivali, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The programme was held on the theme “Walk Beside Me in My Digital Journey” and aimed to help children understand online safety, responsible digital behaviour, healthy technology use and the importance of seeking support from trusted adults.

The programme began with registration, followed by an interactive icebreaker, “Step In If…”, which invited the children to respond to statements about their everyday digital experiences. The activity encouraged participation and helped the children recognise that many of them share similar experiences while using phones, the internet and social media.

The children were welcomed and introduced to the programme by Fr. Roshan Gonsalves, SDB. Ms. Megha facilitated the main session on the campaign theme and introduced five areas for becoming a safer and smarter digital citizen: Use, Notice, Respect, Speak and Balance. The session explored how technology can support learning, creativity, communication, discovery and skill development, while also helping children recognise when its use can become harmful or controlling.

A key message of the session was, “Am I using the technology—or is it using me?” The children were encouraged to distinguish between purposeful use of technology and mindless or harmful use, such as endless scrolling or blindly copying online content.

The session also introduced the “STOP, THINK, CHECK, SPEAK” approach for responding to situations that do not feel right online. The children were encouraged to pause before clicking, replying or sharing; think about what is happening and its possible consequences; check whether information and people are trustworthy; and speak to someone when they feel unsafe or confused.

Ms Megha concluded the session by reminding the children that they do not have to navigate their digital lives alone. Parents, teachers, counsellors, mentors and other trusted adults can “walk beside” them by listening without shame or blame and helping them find solutions when they face difficulties online.

Following the session, the children participated in the online National YaR Campaign programme facilitated by the National Don Bosco YaR Forum. The national programme included the launch of the new campaign, “Walk Beside Me in My Digital Journey,” along with a digital citizenship pledge for children and caregivers.

The campaign addresses the growing need for children to understand online risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, privacy breaches and unhealthy screen habits. It also encourages children to speak about difficult online experiences without fear of judgment or punishment.

The programme gave the participating children an opportunity to reflect on their digital experiences and understand the importance of making safe and responsible choices online. It also reinforced the role of trusted adults in creating an environment where children can seek guidance and support.

The National YaR Campaign 2026–27 reflects the commitment of the Don Bosco YaR Forum to the protection, participation and well-being of children. By walking beside children in their digital journey, the campaign seeks to build safer, healthier and more empowering digital experiences for young people.