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In today's digital age—where technology is deeply ingrained in almost every aspect of our lives—it’s crucial to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the online world safely. Cyber safety for kids has become a pressing concern, and it’s vital that schools take an active role in teaching and promoting cyber safety education. Here’s why.
Parents Want Cyber Safety Education for Their Children
Studies have shown that American parents believe schools should take an active role in teaching online safety. By incorporating cyber safety training into their regular curricula, schools can support parents and caregivers as they explain internet safety to their children, filling in any gaps in parents’ knowledge and providing at-home learning resources. This helps to establish a collaborative and thorough approach, ensuring that children receive consistent messages about responsible online behavior from both home and school.
Schools Can Offer Equitable Internet Safety Training
Teaching internet safety in schools ensures that all students, regardless of their background, have access to essential knowledge and skills to protect themselves online. This is especially true given that not all parents have the time and resources they need to provide adequate cyber safety training to their children.
Schools can provide essential structured, up-to-date, and age-appropriate lessons that address various online risks and responsible online behavior. By integrating cyber safety into the curriculum, schools reach children of all experiences and backgrounds, providing critical life skills to all students and creating a culture of digital citizenship.
Cyber Safety Education Sets Kids Up for Success Now
The importance of cyber safety education in schools extends beyond protecting students from online threats. It also fosters critical thinking skills and encourages responsible digital citizenship. This gives students the ability to identify and respond to cyber threats from others as well as understand how to behave ethically online themselves.
… and Later in Life
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that cyber security-related career openings will grow by 35% by 2031. In addition, such careers are highly lucrative, with the average salary at $102,600 as of 2021. This means that formal internet security training will not only equip students to protect themselves and be good digital citizens, but potentially also pave their way to a competitive advantage in the digital job market. Fostering an interest in cybersecurity at an early age can also motivate students to pursue continued and higher education in this field.
A great way to kick off or supplement internet safety education in schools is to invite experts on this subject to give presentations at educational gatherings like school assemblies.
Teach Kids Safe Tech Use With Net Positive
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens and leaders. We accomplish this by providing evidence-based programs with a focus on those that improve academic engagement, build character, and improve healthy behaviors.
Our Net Positive Program educates K-12 students about digital safety, health, citizenship, and leadership. After participating in our program, students are 97% better prepared to face internet dangers. Contact us to learn more and ask your school to schedule a Net Positive Presentation today!
References
Rebecca. “Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Teach Cyber Security in Schools Today.” CSER STEM Professional Learning | University of Adelaide, 24 June 2020, csermoocs.adelaide.edu.au/news/list/2020/06/24/top-10-reasons-why-you-should-teach-cyber-security-in-schools-today.
“Tracking the Evolving Cybersecurity Jobs Landscape for 2023.” ISACA, www.isaca.org/resources/news-and-trends/newsletters/atisaca/2023/volume-13/tracking-the-evolving-cybersecurity-jobs-landscape-for-2023. Accessed 12 June 2023.