Only YOU Can Prevent Cyber Danger!

With the rapid pace at which technology is becoming embedded into our daily routines, it is not surprising that children are being introduced to it at younger ages than ever before. Gone are the days when seeing a teenager with a cell phone was an anomaly limited to only the wealthy and status-seeking. Today we all have cell phones and computers and a whole host of other gadgets designed to keep us connected. These tools are indeed wonderful, and are undeniably helpful when it comes to education. However, it is important to teach our children about proper safety, as well as to familiarize ourselves with the various ways in which we can help them to enjoy technology appropriately.

The government recently issued a report entitled "Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online". This 54-page document is immensely informative, with sections addressing how to talk to children and teenagers of all ages about internet safety, how to take advantage of parental controls, how to handle social networking sites, comprehensive explanations of "Net speak" for those who may not be familiar with it, and more. This report is a great way for teachers and parents to feel empowered when it comes to talking to their kids about Net safety, which is especially important considering this subject is often overlooked in schools. According to a new study released by the National Cyber Security Alliance, only 35 percent of the school districts studied require any sort of cyber safety education, despite over 90 percent of teachers and administrators being in favor of including it in the curriculum. The study also highlights the growing debate over who is ultimately responsible for discussing the subject with children, with the majority of teachers saying it should be parents and the majority of school administrators saying it should be teachers. The one thing everyone seems to agree on is that it needs to be made a priority. Even the government thinks so, as evidenced by President Obama's Cyberspace Policy Review, which proposes putting a K-12 cyber education program in place on a national level. Luckily, with the help of this report, you can take responsibility for teaching your kids about technology and security today, whether you're a parent, teacher, or friend.





Access the report here, and an article about the NCSA study here.