Illustration created using AI (Copilot)
From deepfakes to phishing scams, the digital world is evolving fast and so are its dangers. This six-part animated video series breaks down complex topics into simple, practical tips to help you think critically, protect yourself online, and stay one step ahead.
The digital world offers incredible opportunities to connect, learn, and share. But it also comes with growing risks. From disinformation and deepfakes to online scams and cybercrime, today’s information environment is more complex than ever.
Don’t Be a Useful Idiot: Stay Safe Online is a public awareness campaign designed to help people across Africa better understand these risks and take control of their digital lives.
To help bridge the gap between awareness and practical knowledge, the South African security consultancy Karen Allen International developed a series of six short, animated explainer videos for the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Media Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa. Each video breaks down a key digital challenge into clear, engaging, and easy-to-understand insights.
Designed for audiences of all ages – from young people navigating social media to older generations seeking to stay safe online – the series provides practical tips to help viewers question what they see, recognise risks, and take simple steps to protect themselves.
Whether you are scrolling through your feed, opening an email, or sharing content, understanding how the digital world works is the first step towards using it responsibly and safely. The key message is simple: pause, think, and don’t be a useful idiot.
