Large-scale computer crime is regularly in the news and you’re probably well aware of what a danger it can be. That’s why we talk about it regularly in our blog. The internet is a wonderful thing, but it is also the vehicle for a lot of cybercrime, as well as other kinds of less serious bad behavior. Young people are reliant on the internet in ways we could never have imagined a decade or so ago.
Unfortunately, that also means that they are vulnerable to cyberthreats. The dangers of cybercrime – and how to stay protected – is something even children need to know about. That’s why Google developed it’s ‘Be Internet Awesome’ program.
Be Cool, Be Internet Awesome
Generation Z is hardly likely to get excited by lectures on staying safe online, but Be Internet Awesome engages young people by emphasising that it’s about being ‘prepared to make smart decisions’. It’s about ‘digital citizenship’ and encouraging young people to use technology to empower themselves in a world that is increasingly online. The Google initiative is a venture in partnership with other organizations, including ConnectSafely, iKeepSafe and the Family Online Safety Institute.
Teaching cybersecurity awareness in this way makes a lot of sense. Children and young people can easily be taken in by online predators and scammers. Emphasizing smart internet behavior and personal security beats issuing rules about cybersecurity measures. Instead of a chore that needs to be done, internet security is recast as something that clever people do.
What the Project Does
The Be Internet Awesome initiative promotes ‘The Internet Code of Awesome’. This covers the fundamentals of internet security. There are five key principles that the project urges young people to adhere to:
- Share with Care: This is to encourage children to think carefully about what they post online, and to consider their and others’ rights to privacy.
- It’s Cool to Be Kind: In a similar vein, the aim here is to ‘treat others as you want to be treated’, so the internet is a gentler place to be.
- Secure Your Secrets: Children are urged to keep their passwords secure, in order to stay safe.
- Don’t Fall for Fake: The signs of scams and phishing attacks can often be identified before the damage is done. This educates kids on what to look out for.
- When in Doubt, Talk It Out: Kids need to appreciate that it’s always okay to ask an adult if something is unclear or something unusual seems to be occurring online.
Adventures in ‘Interland’
Most of us like a game, and games are a great way to convey positive messages and educational content. For that reason, Google has developed a quiz-style adventure game called ‘Interland’. It consists of a series of animated landscapes, which users explore by answering multiple choice questions, some with a time limit.
The game doesn’t need users to login to play, which also means that progress can’t be saved. That means that users have to repeat levels to progress, so the messages the game contains are also repeated. There’s a PDF certificate for those who navigate the game successfully. It’s all designed to teach young internet users the vocabulary they need in relation to cybersecurity, and to reinforce positive online habits.
Tools for Educators
For teachers, there’s also a wealth of course materials that can be downloaded. These include various activities that have been designed for children aged approximately six to twelve, but which can be adapted for other age groups. Though designed for teachers, these resources can also potentially be used by parents or others who care for children.
Check It Out!
Internet security is about a whole lot more than keeping the front door locked, metaphorically speaking, and Be Internet Awesome has a great deal to offer. Internet security is a life skill that all kids need to know. It’s not that different from looking in both directions before crossing the road. Though it’s designed for children and young people, we can all learn from this initiative, and anything which raises awareness of the pitfalls of internet usage is a bonus. See what’s available at beinginternetawesome.withgoogle.com.
The IT professionals at Quikteks know all about the importance of being careful online. We can help with cyberprotection for your business, so call us today at (973) 882-4644 if you need assistance.