I Wish Schools Taught More About Cybersecurity

If you’re a parent reading this, you probably remember a time when “tech skills” was its own class—entirely separate from the rest of your academic day.

You’d walk to the computer lab, maybe slide an orange rubber skin over the keyboard, and practice your typing. You’d learn Microsoft Word or Excel, then return to a classroom where a chalkboard stretched across the front wall and your backpack was stuffed with heavy textbooks.

Kids today have a completely different experience. In the digital age, technology is woven into nearly every aspect of how they work and learn. 

And if they don’t know how to use it safely, the consequences can go far beyond embarrassment or inconvenience. A simple mistake online can jeopardize not only their personal well-being but also their family’s financial security.

In this article, we take a look at what online risks modern school-aged children face, and what should be done to protect against them. 

Overview

Cybercrime can impact anyone, and the most insidious thing about it is that—like mice—hackers need only the smallest opening to get in.

In 2021, the Irish healthcare system was crippled by a group of Russian cybercriminals who gained access through a single phishing email. 

Crimes like these often begin with something just as small: one misplaced click, one unsuspecting download. It’s not hard to imagine a child, in their trusting innocence, falling for a similar scam. And unfortunately, that’s only part of the problem.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the risks students face online and how schools can better prepare them to use technology safely and responsibly.

Personal Safety

If stolen credit card numbers or leaked personal data were the biggest risk, most parents would sleep easier at night.

In the context of children, online precaution takes on a new meaning. Kids have remarkably easy access to the outside world now. 

The concept of cybersecurity in the context of children is all about teaching them best practices — who to interact with, what to do if an online interaction becomes uncomfortable, and how to keep personal information private.

Phishing Scams

It's important for children to understand that many online threats appear to come from a trusted source. Phishing scams used to be primitive and unconvincing, but today they often look as though they come from brands you know and trust. 

A common example might be an email that appears to come from Home Depot. The email might claim you've just completed a $300 payment for a ladder, generator, or power tool and then provide instructions on how to request a refund.

A rational consumer might recognize that most brands do not provide unsolicited advice on refunds. However, if you're feeling panicked about an unexpected bill, it can be difficult to think clearly. 

You click the link, follow the prompts and, probably right around the time you close your laptop, realize that you have fallen victim to a scam. 

By then, of course, it is too late. The damage will have already been done. 

Kids might not be particularly convinced by a bill from Home Depot, but what if the same message came from Roblox or Steam? Children need to be taught a cautious, first-response mentality for all online interactions.

Teaching Children About Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity does not need to be its own class. Small, frequently repeated lessons can effectively reinforce important points. When devices are distributed, schools might give a short lesson on online safety measures, covering both device security and personal safety.

Schools can reinforce these lessons through brief, regular sessions. For example, a cybersecurity incident—likely to happen at some point—can serve as an opportunity to refresh students' understanding. Lessons don’t need to wait for problems to occur. Cybersecurity awareness could be integrated into broader school safety initiatives.

Many schools already dedicate time each year to intruder drills, fire drills, tornado drills, or earthquake drills. Spending thirty minutes during that week on an all-school assembly focused on cybersecurity would be practical. Online threats are a more likely danger than many other risks schools plan for, and they are among the easiest to prevent.

Cybersecurity as a Career Awareness Initiative

Although not commonly emphasized in schools, cybersecurity is a lucrative and personally rewarding career path that many students could benefit from learning about. 

A degree in applied technology is one way to begin a career in cybersecurity, yet many kids have never considered it by the time they turn 18. 

After all, how can you apply for a job you’ve never heard of, or dedicate your future to a task you don’t understand?

Schools already emphasize STEM as a source of rich and fulfilling employment. Integrating discussions about cybersecurity into this conversation could keep students safer online and introduce them to a rewarding career path. 

While cybersecurity is not the most important thing a child could learn, it is valuable and can be managed relatively easily with preparation.

It’s worth the effort to keep kids safe and potentially guide them toward an exciting future career.