The importance of teaching your children cybersecurity

Illustration: TBS

In today's digital age, where technology controls every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our children are well-versed in cybersecurity is not just a good idea—it's a necessity. As we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it's the perfect time to recognise the importance of educating your child about online safety.

Children today are growing up in a world where smartphones, tablets, and computers are as ubiquitous as playgrounds and classrooms once were. They embrace technology from a young age, often more proficiently than their parents. However, this digital fluency exposes them to numerous online threats, making cybersecurity education a crucial aspect of their upbringing.

Children often lack a full understanding of the value of their personal information and the risks associated with sharing it online. 

For instance, consider a scenario where your child is chatting with a new online friend who asks for their home address. Without proper guidance, they might innocently provide this sensitive information, unaware of the potential dangers of doing so. 

Emphasise the importance of sharing personal information only with trusted individuals by using a simple example like, "We don't share our home address with people we don't know in real life, just like we don't tell strangers where we live when we meet them at the park."

Cyberbullying is a pressing concern in the digital age. Imagine your child is using a social media platform, and they encounter hurtful messages or comments. Educating them about what constitutes cyberbullying and how to respond, as well as when to seek help, can significantly impact their emotional well-being. 

Share stories of individuals who faced cyberbullying and how they handled the situation, highlighting the importance of seeking support from parents, teachers, or guardians. You could say, "if someone says mean things to you online, it's just like if they said those things to your face."

Children should be aware of online scams and phishing attempts. To illustrate, show them an example of an email claiming they've won a contest, but to claim the prize, they need to provide their bank account information. 

Teach them the importance of scrutinising such messages and not falling for enticing offers. Explain that legitimate organisations would never request sensitive information via email.

Social media is a common platform for children and teenagers. Share real-world examples where oversharing personal information or interacting with strangers on social media led to adverse consequences, such as identity theft or online harassment. 

You could say, "imagine if you had a diary and you showed it to everyone in the world. That's what happens when we share everything on social media. We should only share things with our friends and family."

Cybersecurity education can sharpen your child's critical thinking skills. Show them examples of fake news stories and guide them on how to question the authenticity of information and verify its sources. Encourage them to fact-check information before believing or sharing it. 

Share an example like, "imagine if someone told you that all the ice cream in the world is gone. Would you believe it without checking? It's the same online. We should always check if something sounds too strange to be true."

Create a safe environment for your child to discuss their online experiences, both positive and negative. For example, share a story about how you encountered a suspicious email, discussed it with them, and together investigated its legitimacy. Tell them where they can seek guidance if they encounter something unsettling online.

Establish rules for screen time and online activities. Use an example of balance by explaining how you limit your screen time to ensure quality face-to-face interactions with family and friends. Share stories of your own experiences in finding a balance between online and offline life.

Develop a memorable story or phrase to illustrate the importance of strong passwords. For instance, create an engaging narrative like, "think of a unique sentence or quote related to your favourite hobby, and turn it into a password, like 'CricketIsMyLife#1!'." 

Share examples of password breaches and their consequences to emphasise the importance of strong password habits. Demonstrate antivirus software by explaining how it acts as a digital shield, much like a superhero's shield, protecting devices from online threats.

Share an example of a positive online interaction or recount a story about the consequences of online rudeness to emphasise the importance of being respectful and kind to others. Discuss the impact of online behaviour on real-life relationships. Encourage your child to verify information before accepting it as fact. 

Discuss the consequences of spreading false information online and its impact on society. You could say, "let's be like detectives online, always looking for clues to see if something is true or not."

Engage in discussions about online content, encouraging questions and critical analysis. For instance, ask your child to research a topic online and discuss the credibility of the sources they find, providing real-world examples. 

Share stories of individuals who fell victim to misinformation and the consequences they faced. Stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity threats and share real-life examples from news reports to illustrate the importance of cybersecurity awareness. 

Discuss how cybersecurity professionals work to protect individuals and organisations from cyber threats. For instance, "just like doctors help people stay healthy, cybersecurity experts help protect our computers from getting sick."

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is not just a local initiative; it's a global response to the growing importance of cybersecurity in our lives. It's a time for collaboration and sharing knowledge to ensure that everyone, including our children, can navigate the digital landscape safely. 

Cybersecurity education for children is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. By incorporating real-life examples into your conversations and empowering your child with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely, you equip them to protect themselves and contribute to a safer online environment for everyone. 

Cybersecurity awareness begins at home, and together, we can build a generation of responsible digital citizens who are prepared for the challenges of our interconnected world.

B M Zahid ul Haque is an Experienced CISO and Cyber Digital Transformation Strategist. The author can be reached at [email protected].

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.