Use the Internet Responsibly and Safely – Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar

‘Safer Internet Day’ Observed at Mantralaya

Mumbai, Feb 2026 :Citizens should stay away from digital addiction and use the internet in a responsible and secure manner, appealed Minister for Cultural Affairs and Information Technology, Adv. Ashish Shelar.

He was speaking at the ‘Safer Internet Day’ programme organised by the Information Technology Department of the Government of Maharashtra at the Mantralaya. The event was attended by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma, IT Department Secretary Virendra Singh, Director of the IT Department Bhuvaneshwari S., State Informatics Officer Sapna Kapoor, experts from Chennai Shravan Shetty and Bharat Rajagopalan, along with a large number of officers and staff from the Mantralaya.

Minister Adv. Shelar said the internet has become an inseparable part of daily life, but excessive use must be avoided and replaced with mindful and balanced usage. He noted that India’s Economic Survey has also highlighted the growing risk of digital addiction, warning that it could reduce individual productivity and decision-making abilities.

He added that if digital addiction continues to rise among the youth, it could directly impact the nation’s progress. It is essential to pay attention to the extent of internet usage, its limits, safety, ethics, and responsibility. Just as people undergo regular health check-ups, there is now a need for a “safe internet check-up” to assess one’s digital habits. On the occasion of Safer Internet Day, he urged every section of society to remain alert and promote safe and responsible digital citizenship. Minister Shelar also pointed out that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar are highly conscious about digital security, and that Maharashtra is ahead of many other states in the country in this field.

Be Alert About Cyber Security – Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal

Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal emphasised that while the use of digital tools is essential in daily work, it is equally important to remain vigilant while using them.

He advised citizens to always keep a PIN lock on their mobile phones, avoid using free Wi-Fi networks at unsafe or unnecessary locations, and refrain from sharing e-office documents or passwords with others. He also cautioned against using fake bank helpline numbers found on search engines and stressed that people should contact banks only through official websites.

Chief Secretary Agrawal further advised against using simple passwords for different digital platforms, suggesting instead the use of long and visually strong passwords for better security. He also appealed to people to avoid excessive sharing on social media and lead a more peaceful and balanced digital life.

Guidance was also provided by experts on the theme “Smart Technology, Secure Choices — Safe and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence.”