Cairo – Maii Abdo:
From the heart of Matrouh Governorate, a powerful idea was born—not out of coincidence, but in response to a troubling reality that had surfaced repeatedly.
Esraa Talaat Turki, a student at the Faculty of Education, Biology Department, Matrouh University, explains that the inspiration behind her initiative, “Your Digital Safety,” came after several girls reported suspicious encounters with a man who would walk around speaking loudly on his phone, claiming he could secure government jobs within the Ministry of Education.
He deliberately positioned himself where young women could overhear him, then approached them with a seemingly harmless question:
“Does anyone you know want to be appointed to a government position?” Relying on his age and respectable appearance to gain trust, he persuaded some of them to share their phone numbers. What followed were repeated calls, harassment, and attempts at manipulation and coercion.
Esraa quickly grasped the seriousness of the situation—especially within a small community, where rumors can easily become an additional burden on victims. She realized that silence was not protection, and that fear, if left unchallenged, could lead to greater harm.
Determined to respond, she launched “Your Digital Safety” as an awareness-driven initiative aimed at protecting girls and women from cyber extortion and strengthening their understanding of their rights and the appropriate actions to take in similar circumstances.She stresses that the initiative is not merely a campaign title, but a message of reassurance: You are not alone.
In a time when smartphones have become entire digital worlds and social media platforms are deeply embedded in daily life, serious risks have emerged—ranging from account hacking and theft of personal photos and data, to cyber extortion, online bullying, defamation, and exploitation of fear and limited awareness.
Most concerning, she notes, is that victims are often unfairly blamed, leading many to remain silent out of fear of social stigma.The initiative focuses on practical, hands-on awareness rather than fear-based messaging or abstract theory.
Through partnerships with public institutions and community organizations, and by organizing workshops in schools and universities, the team addresses key topics such as understanding one’s digital footprint, recognizing the risks associated with certain applications, taking the correct steps if a phone is stolen, following proper legal procedures in cases of cyber extortion, identifying official reporting channels, and seeking psychological support during crises.
In addition, the initiative has collaborated with local media and youth institutions as part of a broader national program dedicated to empowering young people in border governorates.
This institutional backing has strengthened the initiative’s credibility and expanded its reach.The project is led by a committed team of six members who believe deeply in its mission and work diligently to spread awareness. The initiative has also received support from various local entities and community leaders.
Esraa expresses heartfelt gratitude to her family, emphasizing that the encouragement of her father and sister has been a cornerstone in launching and sustaining the project.Beyond this initiative, Esraa remains actively involved in volunteer work and firmly believes that awareness is not a luxury, but a necessity for safeguarding society.
Her message is clear and unwavering: knowledge is the strongest defense against fear; digital safety is a fundamental right for every girl; and silence does not offer protection—awareness does.
