Cyber safety takes centre stage during Commerce Week

As part of the Commerce Week celebrations, Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, invited Dr Sonal Babbar, Associate Professor of Commerce at Maitreyi College, for a session that hit home for many students. Speaking to Classes IX to XII, Dr Babbar focused on a topic that’s both timely and crucial: Online financial safety.

With scams becoming increasingly common, her session offered a clear-eyed look into how digital fraud works. She shared examples that students could relate to, like KYC frauds and fake bank texts designed to steal private data. These weren’t just statistics or vague warnings. They were real stories that made students sit up and listen.

What this means is that financial education now starts much earlier than it used to. Today’s teens aren’t just watching parents handle money; they’re engaging with UPI apps, creating passwords, and sharing OTPs. Dr Babbar showed how even one small mistake, like clicking a link from a fake message, can lead to serious trouble.

Practical advice students can use

The session didn’t just list problems. It offered real solutions. Dr Babbar walked students through ways to build stronger digital habits. She explained how to check for suspicious links, avoid sharing passwords, and use basic privacy settings effectively. These were tips students could apply the same day.

She also addressed a common issue: How easily people get tricked into giving away information when messages look official. With examples and interaction, she helped students spot red flags they hadn’t noticed before.

According to Ridhima Khurana, XII C, the Commerce Week was an unforgettable blend of learning and fun. “From managing stalls to attending engaging sessions, it truly enriched my entrepreneurial spirit,” she said.

“During Commerce Week, I gained firsthand experience as a food stall owner. Though we didn’t earn much profit, I learnt key business lessons like market research, customer needs, competitive pricing, marketing strategies, and managing finances. This enriching opportunity gave me practical insight into entrepreneurship and prepared me to take my business ideas to the next level,” shared Yogita of Class XI.

The session struck a chord

What stood out most was the tone of the session. It was engaging, clear, and student-friendly. It wasn’t a lecture. It was a conversation. Students asked questions. Teachers joined in. The takeaway was simple: online safety isn’t someone else’s problem. It’s everyone’s responsibility.

By the end, students walked away with more than just knowledge. They had a mindset shift. Commerce Week didn’t just celebrate business and finance. It reminded everyone that being smart with money now includes being smart online, too.