Students spend much of their day using devices like computers, tablets and smartphones, using online tools for studying, communicating with friends and playing games – leaving them open to various cyber threats like data breaches, phishing scams and the loss of personal information. By teaching students cybersecurity awareness lessons they can avoid data breaches, phishing scams and the potential loss of access.
Teachers addressing cyber safety can begin their lessons by discussing how dishonest people use the internet to exploit users and steal their money. Students should also understand why it’s vital to review privacy settings and policy documents prior to sharing information online.
After that, educators should educate students about how to identify phishing scams. Students should never click on links provided via emails even if they appear authentic; rather they should manually type the website address in their browser and see if it begins with “https.” Educators can also encourage their pupils to use public Wi-Fi networks only when supervised and with up-to-date security software installed.
Cybersecurity is an essential topic for students to master because it allows them to take control of their digital lives. Instead of leaving themselves exposed to potential threats, students can employ strategies like creating strong and unique passwords on each account and activating two-factor authentication. Furthermore, they should update software regularly, avoid sharing passwords among accounts, and not plugging USB drives from unknown sources that could contain viruses and malware.
Data breaches could have serious repercussions for students’ future career and life plans, so it is imperative they learn about cybersecurity. Learning this knowledge also prepares them for college life where their classmates may not share similar precautions and knowledge about cybersecurity.
Students can utilize technology not only to understand cyber safety but also research facts on their favorite topics using research tools available online. This helps develop critical thinking and media literacy as well as empower them to create infographics and lead discussions among peers.
No matter the format – essay, report or presentation – having students create original scenarios about something they have encountered online is a powerful and fun way to educate them about cyber safety. High school and college students in particular often encounter negative situations on social media that they should avoid. Students can develop a script on how to react in situations when they may become victims of cyber attack, such as notifying parents about inappropriate social media posts or being wrongfully accused for crimes online. According to recent research conducted by the eSafety Commissioner, nearly all teenagers took some form of action after experiencing negative online experiences – such as speaking to their parents and teacher about it.