Undoubtedly, humanity and the digital world are inseparable at this point, as the Internet now plays an indispensable role in various facets of life, from navigation and entertainment to critical components of modern work processes. Unlike the older generation, which had to adapt to the rise of the Internet, children today are born into the digital age, presenting a new set of plusses and problems.
On one hand, the digital age gives children access to a vast amount of information, resources, and opportunities that previous generations didn’t have. This offers them an unprecedented opportunity to easily learn new skills, participate in online communities, and connect with others around the world through various platforms. On the other hand, this also brings about new challenges and risks that were absent before the Internet age: cyberattacks, cyberbullying, online predators, and threats to their privacy and security, as well as being exposed to inappropriate content.
According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC’s) 2020 Internet Users Survey, 47% of children aged five to 17 in the country are daily users of the Internet, while only 53.3% of parents are aware of the parental controls available. However, despite being aware of these tools, the MCMC report found that only 34.4% of those parents actively used the features to safeguard their children online. Malaysian parents appear to largely favour more traditional methods like setting rules (72.8%), staying in proximity of a child when they are using the Internet (57.4%), discussing online safety with their children in advance (50%), and checking their social media accounts and browsing history (47.7%). However, 7.4% of respondents said they do not take any action at all.
This is especially concerning as Netherlands-based cybersecurity company and VPN provider Surfshark found a surge in cybercrime targeting children in 2020, rising by 144% from the previous year. The same report also mentions that the American Federal Bureau of Investigation received almost ten thousand complaints on the matter, which involved over US$2mil (RM9.1mil) in losses. A more recent report from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky in January echoes the claims of the Surfshark study, saying that 2022 saw a dramatic 57% rise in cyberattacks targeting minors. These cyberattacks were primarily conducted under the guise of popular video game titles, including Minecraft (affecting 140,515 users), Roblox (38,850 users), and Among Us (27,503 users), among others.
To bridge the knowledge gap, more initiatives are being launched to educate both parents and children about cybersecurity, reflecting the growing importance of digital safety.
Take, for instance, the ongoing Be Internet Awesome programme, which mainly focuses on teaching kids the basics of digital citizenship and online safety. The programme, by Google, covers five main topics: guiding children on the dos and don’ts of sharing information online; recognising fake content; safeguarding account privacy and security; fostering positive online behaviour; and knowing when to seek help from adults. Children, it said, should be informed about the importance of refraining from sharing identifying information, such as their address, phone number, password, and email. When it comes to the private information of others, it’s essential that they grasp the importance of respecting their privacy and refraining from sharing such information without consent. It’s crucial to instil the practice of “thinking before posting” to combat misunderstanding, especially since online statements can be misinterpreted by others. Children should also be motivated to exercise critical thinking when seeking information online, as not all that they encounter may be accurate or true.
The programme advises children to be cautious when receiving friend requests from strangers, urging them to verify the authenticity of the accounts. It is recommended that they communicate only with individuals they already know offline in order to ensure safety. Children should be taught about good online behaviour, with an emphasis on treating others as they want to be treated, and learn to use safety tools like “blocking” and “muting” for dealing with hostile interactions. They have to be empowered to seek help if they encounter negative situations online or feel uncomfortable. It is important for them to recognise when to report a situation to a parent or the platform using the available tools. Google also created an interactive browser game called Interland for the programme, with a number of themed worlds that approach a specific digital citizenship- or online safety-related topic.
Meanwhile, other firms are taking a more guided approach when it comes to educating children on cybersecurity. Cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks advocates for a more structured teaching approach via its Cyber Activities in Cybersecurity Education For Students (Cyber Aces) programme. The programme is made up of four areas – connectivity, privacy, communication, and digital citizenship – and is split across four age brackets. The lessons are also designed to be “unplugged”, allowing students to complete the lessons with just a pen and paper.
The aim was to enable children without digital devices to learn and be equipped with cybersecurity knowledge. According to Palo Alto Networks, the programme is meant to act as a form of interactive cybersecurity education for children from the age of five to 15, with the initiative also encouraging them to consider a career in cybersecurity in the future.
“This programme provides the cybersecurity understanding and know-how for students to become good digital citizens while ensuring they have safer online experiences. “The lessons have been constructed in such a way that they can be facilitated by anyone, regardless of their knowledge level.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
