Vaud’s “eCop” discusses cyberbullying prevention and social media risks with Champittet 9th graders

The internet opens doors to a world of information, but learning to use digital tools wisely is a critical step in every student’s education. Our 9th graders recently received a special visit on the topic of cyber safety from Vaud Cantonal Police Officer François Nanchen. In charge of crime prevention, Mr Nanchen is also known as the “eCop”. With humour and a down-to-earth approach, this police officer and online influencer teaches young people about crime prevention and safe internet use.

Learning to stay safe online – and in the real world

At Champittet, Mr Nanchen led workshops on cyberbullying and the dangers of social media for our 9th graders. Through frank and open discussion, our students discovered the risks of sharing private information or images online, either publicly or with other individuals. Our guest speaker addressed dangerous issues such as nudity, grooming and harassment, as well as how to prevent these risks online.

Our students learned a great deal as they asked and answered many questions on cyber safety. The internet often feels far from the real world, but as Mr Nanchen pointed out, online crime is every bit as real as crime committed offline. What’s more, our online actions can lead to serious consequences for ourselves and others. As our students discovered, we must know and respect the law when we use the internet, just as we do in any other part of life. 

To learn more about crime prevention, check out François Nanchen’s social media channels (@ecop.francois) on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.