The Sustainability Ambassadors at the Department of Intelligent Medical Systems in the College of Science at Future University organized an awareness workshop titled "The Risks of Unsafe Social Media Use." The workshop was presented by Assistant Professor Qusay Munir Diab, Head of the Quality Unit in the department, with the attendance of a number of students.<br /><br />This initiative comes in response to the growing cyber threats and risks associated with unsafe social media use. With the increasing spread of digital information and its widespread use, it has become essential to raise awareness about security breaches, cyber fraud, and misinformation to protect individuals from digital violations that may impact their personal and professional lives.<br /><br />This campaign represents an awareness initiative aimed at enhancing digital security and promoting a responsible internet culture by guiding individuals toward correct digital behaviors and equipping them with the necessary knowledge to protect their personal data from various online threats.<br /><br />Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)<br />This campaign aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its role in promoting digital awareness and ensuring a safer online environment. Some of the key SDGs supported by this initiative include:<br /><br />Goal 4 (Quality Education): By spreading awareness and knowledge about safe internet use, helping individuals responsibly engage with modern technologies.<br />Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Through promoting cybersecurity awareness and supporting the development of safe technological solutions to protect digital information.<br />Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): By combating online misinformation and reinforcing digital security practices, contributing to the establishment of strong and reliable institutions.<br />Workshop Discussions and Key Points<br />The workshop covered major threats users may face when engaging with untrusted social media platforms. The speaker explained how these platforms pose significant risks to data privacy, as personal information can be exploited without the user’s knowledge, leading to hacking or cyber fraud. He also highlighted the security risks that arise from using weak passwords or clicking on suspicious links that may contain malware.<br /><br />Additionally, the workshop addressed the dangers of spreading false information and media manipulation, as social media is often exploited to disseminate misleading information that influences public opinion. Furthermore, the psychological and social negative effects of excessive social media use were discussed, including cyberbullying, addiction, and unrealistic comparisons that can impact users’ mental well-being.<br /><br />Key Recommendations<br />The workshop provided several important recommendations, including the necessity of using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and avoiding sharing personal information with untrusted sources. The speaker also emphasized the importance of verifying news sources before sharing them, avoiding access to insecure websites, and regularly updating privacy settings to ensure personal data protection.<br /><br />At the end of the session, the attendees engaged in a discussion where they asked questions about how to enhance their cybersecurity and received practical tips for safe and responsible social media usage.<br /><br />Future University – The No. 1 University in Iraq.