Online safety is the ability to recognize threats online and figuring out ways to prevent them. This includes protecting your personal information as well as avoiding malware and recognizing illegal or harmful content.
Cyber safety is essential for students, who are increasingly online. They must be aware of the dangers to their security and privacy like cyberbullying and identity theft. They must also be aware of how reckless or negligent Internet actions can have severe consequences. A New Hampshire politician, for instance, was fired because he posted inappropriate pictures and comments on social media regarding his opponents.
There are many ways that could go wrong regardless of whether they’re shopping playing games or chatting with their friends. For instance, it’s not difficult to click on a malicious link inside an email or text message, or even an online advertisements that could infect a device with malware. And once an offensive or embarrassing comment, picture or video is published, it’s nearly impossible to remove it.
To help kids learn about the important issues surrounding cyber safety, teachers could incorporate a variety of engaging activities into their classes. For instance creating digital comics about a situation that concerns cyberbullying and the risks it poses, or meeting someone in person who they met online can spark classroom discussions on those subjects and promote critical thinking and media literacy skills. Students can also be taught about cyber security by making an imaginary article.