As the internet becomes more integrated into our lives, it’s important to make sure our kids are being taught adequate technology safety in schools for using this valuable resource. We should all be prepared with processes to prevent cyber threats from occurring within our homes and schools. While there are many positives and advantages that come from having access to information of every kind, there are threats that can prove detrimental if proper precautions aren’t taken.
Cybersecurity and technology safety in schools is an essential topic to know and integrate into our lives online, and it’s something our kids should be learning about at a young age. A report taken in 2019 proved that 95% of children between the ages of 3 and 18 had access to the internet at home. With that many users under the age of 18, there needs to be proper guidelines and technology safety in schools taught to avoid the dangers that lurk online.
Here are a few tips that can help enforce and emphasize the importance of cybersecurity protocols:
Educate Yourself to Ensure Children are Prepared
A necessary first step is to make sure that you’re aware of the risks yourself. Staying up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats is vital so that children can be educated about them as well. You should also have a good understanding of the technology kids are using, and the possible cyber risks it may entail. This will help you determine if the risks are low, or if that particular app or software should be removed.
Once you have a solid understanding of the basics of cybersecurity, you can ensure children are aware of them also, and that they’re being taught proper technology safety in schools and at home. Teaching should include things like phishing scams, online predators, and data breaches. They should understand how these threats can impact their lives.
It’s also important that they know what they can do to protect themselves from these threats. For example, they should know how to spot a phishing email and what to do if they receive one.
Review Online Privacy Guidelines
With the amount of social media sharing these days, online privacy should be something that kids should be aware of. Part of teaching technology safety in schools should include never giving out personal information like names, addresses, or phone numbers to strangers or unknown sources online. They should also be aware of the dangers of posting pictures and videos of themselves online. Once something is posted online, it’s very difficult to remove it.
Create Technology Safety Rules
Make sure that technology safety rules have been established for children who are using devices to connect online. These rules should be based on school values and the dangers that are present in the digital landscape. For example, it may be a good idea to set time limits on the amount of time kids spend online. There should also be restrictions on sharing personal information or downloading files from unknown sources online to prevent data loss or identity theft.
Enforce and Discuss the Rules Regularly
Monitoring children’s online activity is a good way for schools and parents to ensure that they’re following the established rules. School computer systems should be made aware of the websites they’re visiting. If something is found that raises concern, take action. Parents may need to have a discussion with their children about their online activity, and even restrict their access to certain websites or apps. This can reinforce technology safety in schools where they are being taught and trained on.
Keep Your Schools Safe with ANC Group
Teaching kids about cybersecurity is essential for their safety and protection, but it’s also important for everyone to practice what they preach. Make sure your school is following the proper guidelines for strong cybersecurity by hiring IT specialists like ANC Group who can reinforce your cybersecurity infrastructure.
We’re experienced in working with educational institutions to protect data and students from cyber threats. To ensure that students and schools are fully protected, reach out to an IT professional from ANC Group today.
