Cyber Champs: How Gurugram’s Students Are Becoming India’s Youngest Cyber Defenders

Why Gurugram’s Young Users Are at Risk

In Gurugram’s digitally connected classrooms, students use apps to learn, socialize, and express themselves. But behind this screen time lies a rising threat: cybercrime targeting children and teenagers. From phishing and bullying to fake investment scams, young users are among the most vulnerable.

In 2024, Gurugram reported over ₹350 crore in cyber fraud losses—a sharp rise from ₹210 crore in 2023. Only 24% of this was recovered. The growing number of youth-related cases highlights a critical gap in cyber education for students.

That’s where Cyber Champs steps in—a collaborative mission to create the most cyber-aware student generation in India.

Gurugram’s Youth Under Attack: What the Numbers Reveal

According to Haryana Cyber Police:

• Cybercrime complaints involving minors rose by 67% between 2022 and 2024.

• Top incidents include phishing, cyberbullying, identity theft, and sextortion.

• Schools and colleges reported an increase in online threats, exam scams, and digital abuse.

Despite wide access to the internet, structured digital safety education is still missing in most institutions.

Real Stories, Real Warnings: The Ground Reality in Schools

Class 7 Student Sends Bomb Threat

In December 2024, a 12-year-old student sent a fake bomb threat via email to avoid offline classes. The prank caused panic, legal action, and police involvement. The student was charged under cyber laws—an example of digital ignorance leading to serious consequences.

₹87 Crore Scam Using Telegram

Cybercriminals used fake Telegram investment groups to scam college students in Gurugram. Many lost their savings chasing unrealistic returns. The scam is under investigation, but most victims hesitated to report due to fear and embarrassment.

These cases prove that without digital awareness, even the smartest students can become easy targets.

Why Are Students Easy Targets for Cybercrime?

• Digital literacy ≠ cyber maturity

• Oversharing on social media (location, school name, daily routine)

• Fear of embarrassment or punishment discourages reporting

• Peer pressure to follow trends, click unknown links, or share passwords

• Lack of supervision from schools and parents on screen time and app use

These factors create the perfect conditions for scammers, impersonators, and predators.

Cyber Champs: The Program Turning Fear into Awareness

Cyber Champs is a city-wide awareness movement by Give Back to Gurugram (GBTG) in partnership with Haryana Cyber Police and I4C, Ministry of Home Affairs. It equips school and college students with skills to detect, respond to, and report digital threats.

Launched in 2024, the program has already reached over 22,000 students across Gurugram.

Objectives:

• Build cyber hygiene and responsible internet behavior

• Train students to detect scams and support peers

• Normalize safe and stigma-free reporting

• Promote student leadership through peer educator programs

How It Works: From Awareness to Action

Component	Description
Awareness Workshops	Real-life examples, interactive Q&A, gamified learning
Simulation Drills	Mock phishing messages, scam call reenactments, reporting practice
Peer Educator Clubs	Student leaders run regular sessions and campaigns in their schools
Police-Led Sessions	Haryana Cyber Police trains students on helplines and safe reporting
Family Toolkits	Parents receive take-home guides on passwords, screen safety, and app control

The Role of Schools, Teachers, and Parents

Schools:

• Integrate cyber safety into life skills or IT curriculum

• Support formation of Cyber Clubs in every grade level

• Include cyber awareness in annual school calendars

Teachers:

• Promote open, non-judgmental conversations in class

• Encourage students to report digital discomfort or harm

• Participate in regular cyber refresher briefings with GBTG

Parents:

• Talk to children regularly about their digital life

• Install time and content filters on home devices

• Treat cyber mistakes as teachable moments, not punishable actions

Together, this forms a 360° circle of digital protection.

Impact So Far: Data That Shows It’s Working

Since launch in 2024:

• 22,000+ students trained across 53 schools and 7 colleges

• 1930 cyber helpline reports from students up by 38% (Q1 2024)

• 18 peer-led Cyber Clubs now active in Gurugram institutions

• Over 100 educators certified through GBTG’s Cyber Literacy Program

Feedback:

• 91% of trained students say they now feel more confident online

• 84% know exactly how to report suspicious activity

• Principals report improved digital behavior and safer screen habits

The Road Ahead: Scaling the Cyber Champs Movement

GBTG plans to expand Cyber Champs to every ward and school in Gurugram. The 2025 targets include:

• 1,00,000+ students trained

• 100 active Cyber Clubs with monthly campaigns

• Launch of a School Cyber Safety Toolkit, endorsed by Haryana Education Board

• Cyber Youth Panels contributing feedback to citywide tech and safety policy

To achieve this, GBTG is inviting schools, CSR partners, education boards, and edtech platforms to co-create the next chapter.

Why CSR and Brands Must Step In Now

Cyber safety in education qualifies under Schedule VII of the Companies Act as a valid CSR domain (education, digital literacy, safety).

Corporate Benefits:

• Partner with schools for high-visibility engagement

• Enable long-term impact via student training and awareness assets

• Get co-branded visibility across RWA, school, and district platforms

• Strengthen ESG scores through youth digital empowerment

Supporting Cyber Champs is not just a donation—it’s a legacy of protection.

Let’s Raise a Generation of Cyber Champions

The internet is growing smarter every day—and so are the threats.

But if we act now, we can make every student in Gurugram part of the solution, not a victim of the problem.

Let’s build classrooms that don’t just produce academic toppers—but digital defenders. Let’s build a city where no child clicks alone, reports in fear, or learns the hard way.

Let’s raise Cyber Champs—confident, aware, and future-ready.