UR Huye Students urged to embrace responsible social media use and behaviors

He made these remarks during a public talk at the University of Rwanda, Huye Campus, focused on combating cybercrime and promoting responsible digital use and behavior.

Students who attended the talk shared their reflections and the lessons they learned.

Delphine Niyonsaba, a Public Administration student, described the session as both insightful and thought provoking.

“The talk helped me understand how easily students can get involved in cybercrime without realizing it. I learned to be careful with personal data and to respect others online. At first, some legal explanations were confusing, but later they became clearer and very useful,” she said.

She emphasized that the preventive measures discussed, such as avoiding sharing sensitive content and reporting suspicious online activities, are essential in today’s digital age.

Guard Tuyitambire also shared his perspective, noting that the public talk broadened his understanding of cybercrime beyond common assumptions.

“I discovered that cybercrime is not only about hacking but also includes online harassment, fraud, and misuse of information. The examples given were practical and made it easier to understand how these crimes happen in everyday life,” he explained.

He added that students must take responsibility for their online presence and ensure their actions contribute positively to society.

Steven Niyomukiza, a first-year Law student at the same campus, highlighted the moral dimension of the lessons learned.

“This talk taught me that online behavior has both legal and moral consequences. As a law student, I see the importance of acting responsibly and respecting people’s rights like not engaging in cyberbulling. It’s not just about avoiding punishment, but about doing what is ethically right,” he noted.

Speaking to the kaminuza star,Dr. Murangira B. Thierry reinforced the importance of awareness and responsible behavior.

“Young people must understand that cybercrime is real and punishable by law. Social media should be used for development, not destruction. We urge students to be responsible and avoid actions that may harm others or themselves,” he stated.

With over 1.35 million active social media users in Rwanda and rising internet access across the country, the risks of online fraud, harassment, and misuse continue to grow.

Pichou Byiringiro/The kaminuza star