1. Introduction

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) organised a one-day workshop on “Social Media Awareness & Governance” on 1 October 2026 at CIET-NCERT, New Delhi. The workshop brought together more than 200 participants, including faculty members from NCERT-CIET and participants from Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) and the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education (PSSCIVE).

The workshop aimed to promote awareness of responsible social media usage, strengthen digital literacy, and encourage safe, ethical, and informed engagement with digital platforms, particularly in educational settings.

2. Inaugural Session

The inaugural session was graced by Prof. Amarendra P. Behera, Joint Director, CIET-NCERT, and Prof. Shireesh P. Singh, Head, DICT & TD, CIET-NCERT.

Their participation underscored the importance of strengthening digital competencies, promoting responsible online engagement, and integrating social media awareness and governance into educational practices.

3. Objectives of the Workshop

The key objectives of the workshop were:

• To enhance understanding of social media platforms, their influence, and their governance.
• To develop fact-checking skills and promote the identification of misinformation and disinformation.
• To improve algorithmic literacy and understanding of how digital platforms influence content visibility and user engagement.
• To promote cyber security awareness and safe online practices.
• To encourage responsible digital citizenship and awareness of digital footprints.
• To foster digital well-being and ethical use of social media in academic and professional environments.

4. Key Themes and Focus Areas

The workshop focused on several important aspects of social media awareness and governance.

4.1 Fact-Checking and Information Literacy

The workshop addressed the importance of verifying information before sharing it online. Fact-checking is essential for identifying misleading claims, preventing the spread of misinformation, and fostering a culture of informed digital participation.

4.2 Algorithmic Literacy

Participants were introduced to the importance of understanding how social media algorithms influence content recommendations, visibility, and user engagement. Algorithmic literacy helps users critically assess their online experiences and recognise how personalised content may shape their perspectives.

4.3 Cyber Security and Online Safety

The workshop highlighted cyber security awareness as an essential component of responsible social media use. Safe digital practices, protection of personal information, and awareness of online risks are important for maintaining secure digital environments.

4.4 Digital Footprints and Responsible Social Media Use

The significance of digital footprints and their long-term implications for personal and professional reputation was emphasised as a key area of awareness. Responsible sharing, respectful online communication, and thoughtful digital participation are essential for maintaining a positive online presence.

4.5 The Ethical Educator and Digital Well-being

The theme “The Ethical Educator & Digital Well-being” highlighted the role of educators in modelling responsible digital behaviour and fostering healthy relationships with technology. Important considerations included copyright laws, Creative Commons licences, fair use in academic content, and maintaining healthy screen-time boundaries.

These themes are particularly relevant to educators who create, share, and use digital learning resources and guide students in navigating online environments responsibly.

5. Participation

The workshop witnessed participation from more than 200 individuals, including NCERT-CIET faculty members and participants representing RIEs and PSSCIVE.

The diverse participation provided an opportunity to strengthen awareness of social media governance and digital responsibility across educational institutions and professional communities.

6. Key Takeaways

The workshop highlighted the importance of:

• Verifying information before sharing content on social media.
• Understanding the role of algorithms in shaping digital experiences.
• Practising cyber security and protecting personal information online.
• Managing digital footprints with awareness of their long-term implications.
• Upholding ethical standards when using and sharing digital educational content.
• Respecting copyright and understanding Creative Commons licences and fair use in academic contexts.
• Maintaining a healthy balance between digital engagement and personal well-being.

7. Conclusion

The NCERT One-Day Workshop on Social Media Awareness & Governance served as an important initiative to strengthen digital literacy, responsible social media use, and awareness of emerging challenges in online environments.

By bringing together educators and participants from different educational institutions, the workshop highlighted the importance of fact-checking, algorithmic literacy, cyber security, digital footprints, and digital well-being. Its focus on ethical educational practices and responsible technology use reinforced the need for educators to lead by example and help cultivate informed, secure, and responsible digital citizens.

The workshop aligned with the broader objective of promoting a safe, ethical, and digitally empowered educational ecosystem.

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