In a significant step to strengthen digital safety in schools, the Government of Kerala has introduced the “Cyber Safety Protocol 2026,” a comprehensive framework designed to protect students from emerging cyber threats in the age of artificial intelligence. The initiative has been developed by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), the technology arm of the state’s General Education Department.
The protocol aims to create a secure digital learning environment across Kerala’s public school system, addressing risks such as AI-driven cybercrime, misinformation, online exploitation, and misuse of generative AI tools.
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Framework Targets AI-Driven Cyber Threats In Schools
The Cyber Safety Protocol 2026 was developed after analysing emerging cybercrime patterns and the growing influence of AI in education and online interactions. It outlines 13 core objectives focused on digital awareness, responsible technology use, and safeguarding student privacy.
Among its key goals are educating students about the risks of sharing confidential information with generative AI platforms, encouraging critical thinking when consuming online content, and helping them identify misinformation or manipulated digital material.
The framework also defines nine operational areas, covering aspects such as academic use of AI, administrative data management, and maintaining secure digital learning systems within schools.
Schools To Set Up Cyber Security Committees
Under the new protocol, school authorities will be required to take several steps to strengthen cyber safety mechanisms within educational institutions.
Heads of schools have been assigned 17 specific responsibilities, including ensuring teacher-supervised internet access during school hours and establishing School Cyber Security Committees led by designated coordinators.
The framework also adopts a “privacy by design” approach, advising schools against using real-time CCTV monitoring through private servers inside classrooms in order to protect student privacy.
Additionally, teachers have been instructed not to assign homework that requires internet access at home, a measure aimed at preventing exclusion of students who lack reliable internet connectivity. Schools are instead required to provide access to online resources within the campus where necessary.
Guidelines Issued For Students And Parents
The protocol introduces 25 cyber safety practices specifically for students, including identifying suspicious links, safeguarding personal information and live location data on social media, and controlling camera or chat permissions in online gaming platforms.
Students are also cautioned against using AI tools for academic manipulation, with the guidelines emphasising independent learning and responsible use of emerging technologies.
Parents have also been given 16 advisory guidelines, focusing on regulating screen time, understanding the long-term implications of digital footprints, and using parental monitoring tools to protect children online.
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Protocol Aligns With Key Indian Data And Cyber Laws
The framework integrates safeguards from several major Indian laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
It also identifies around 20 major cyber threats, including deepfakes, AI-based grooming, and “digital arrest” scams, while providing precautionary measures and reporting mechanisms to help schools respond effectively.
Officials said the initiative builds on the state’s “Sarvam AI Mayam” digital awareness programme, which has already trained nearly six lakh parents on AI literacy and cyber safety.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
