Online Safety and Digital Citizenship

Cyber Security and Safeguarding your Data, Devices and Accounts 

Using secure passwords and applying good user account practices 

• Create a strong password (video) or use a passphrase 
• Verify how strong is your password?  

Keeping your devices secure 

• Summary of tips for safeguarding your devices (Word / PDF) 
• Clear your browser cache and browsing history (Word / PDF) 

Securing your home network and the risks of using Wi-Fi from other remote locations

• Run through the following home network checklist (Word / PDF)  
• Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi 

Safely using videoconferencing tools for synchronous learning

• Tips for safe Videoconferencing for Staff and Teachers (Word / PDF)

Cyber Safety: Understanding Cyber Threats

Understanding Cyber Threats will explore what types of threats are online and how you can protect yourself from ransomware, malware and identity theft.

• Understanding cyber threats and how they work
  • A brief overview of cyber criminal’s favourite tactics
  • How cyber threats work
  • Ransomware and malware as a form of cyber threat
    • What is malware and how can you protect yourself
    • What is Ransomware and how to stay cyber secure 

• Identity theft
  • Identity Theft and You
  • Privacy Settings: Check and adjust your privacy settings (video)
  • Hackers and cybercriminals may be playing the long game (video)

Safe Remote Learning Tips

Cyber Safety: Think Before You Click, Post or Share?

Here are a few things to consider before you look at content that is sent to you or if you should share it with others.

• Don’t be a victim of phishing
  • Don’t take the bait! (video)
  • Know how to protect yourself from phishing.
  • Misinformation
    • Learn four easy ways to tell if something is true online. Take the Can you spot the fake? workshop
    • What you can do to recognize false content online.
    • Think before you share or text

Check first, share after (video), stop the spread of misinformation.

Be Smart and Safe Online 

Be Smart and Safe Online focuses on being aware of risks to different online activities, spotting threats and understanding how to stay safe while online. The Internet and the many different communication technologies such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and other smart devices, offer individuals of all age great opportunities for learning, exploration, fun and especially keeping in touch with friends and family during this pandemic. Unfortunately, these technologies can also present a host of concerns and worries ranging from accessing inappropriate content to being a victim of harassment or cybercrime.

This week will look at the following areas of risk: 

Online gaming 

• Know the risks of online gaming 
• How to stay safe when online gaming (video) 

Social media 

• How to stay safe on social media (video) 
• Tips for staying safe on social media 

Sexual exploitation, sextortion and sexting

• What is Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking 
• What is sextortion, what leads to it and how to protect yourself? 
• What is “Sexting” and what are the consequences? 

You hear a lot of scary stuff about kids and the internet, but the fact is that most kids do just fine. Think of the internet as being like a swimming pool: the best way to keep your kids safe there is to teach them how to stay safe.

Don’t wait until things have already gone wrong to talk to your kids about online issues, and don’t just have one “big talk.” What your kids need from you is guidance, so they’re prepared to deal with problems before they happen, support from you when things do go wrong, and

for you to reinforce these messages by continuing to talk to them as they get older and are more able to make decisions for themselves. The three main sections of this guide have lots of tips on how to talk about all of the major online issues. If you have older kids and haven’t talked to them about the internet yet, don’t worry: it’s never too late to start!

What your kids are watching, playing, reading and listening to is a big part of the person they’re turning into, and their online lives can be just as important to them as the “real world.” Younger kids are usually glad when their parents show an interest in the things they like, so get them to show you how their new favourite game works or why they’re so excited about joining a new social network. You can also use media to talk about sensitive issues: kids may be more comfortable talking about sexting or bullying when you’re discussing a character in a TV show than someone they know.

A lot of the time, kids don’t want to go to their parents when things go wrong because they’re afraid they’ll get in trouble. When your kids start going online make sure they know clear procedures on what to do if things go wrong, like if they can’t figure out a game or they accidentally access something unpleasant. (Check out the “How do I talk about...” and “How do I ...” sections below for some of these procedures.) If they’re in the habit of coming to you about the little things, they’ll be a lot more likely to talk to you about the big ones.

The internet may seem like the Wild West sometimes, but the rules you set still affect how kids behave online. What’s most important is that your rules are a way of getting across the values you want your kids to live by, that way they’ll keep living by them even when they’re grown up and out on their own.