The importance of cybersecurity in education

By Andreas Constantinides

As the new school year begins and considering the increased use of technology by children, it is imperative to implement strict security protocols and raise awareness about digital threats. 

While technology offers countless advantages and expands knowledge horizons, it also poses significant risks, particularly for younger users who are often not sufficiently informed on how to protect themselves in the digital world. As technology evolves, cyber threats become more sophisticated, and students are increasingly at risk of falling victim to identity theft, cyberbullying, phishing attacks, malware infections, and more.

Cybersecurity education is now essential, as children are more vulnerable than ever to cyber threats and attacks. 

Main online threats for children and parents 

Cyber threats are a continually growing danger that can affect students’ personal and academic lives. The widespread use of the internet from an early age makes children vulnerable to attacks, which can have long-term psychological and emotional effects. One of the most widespread examples is cyberbullying, which can cause serious emotional distress, and isolation, and in some cases, lead to extreme outcomes such as self-harm or even suicide. Moreover, students’ personal data can be stolen and used for illegal activities. Malware attacks can lead to the loss of important data.

Parents and children must be informed about the dangers online. Although adults are usually aware of the risks, children and teenagers often underestimate or ignore the dangers they may encounter online. The main threats include: 

• Identity theft: Users can fall victim to scams by accidentally providing sensitive information to deceptive websites that mimic legitimate ones.
• Viruses and malware: Malicious programs can infect users’ devices, often without their knowledge, compromising personal data, stealing information, or even destroying their devices.
• Misinformation: False or distorted information is widespread online, leading to misunderstandings and poor decision-making. According to a recent study by the European Parliament, many young people in Cyprus do not check or verify if what they read online is true. The study shows that Cyprus ranks last in Europe, as most individuals aged 16 to 29 consume online content and believe what they see without verification.
• Contact with strangers: Communication with unknown individuals online and through online games can be dangerous, as many hide their identity to deceive or exploit.
• Grooming and sexual harassment: The anonymity of the internet allows predators to approach children with the intention of harassment or exploitation.
• Internet addiction: Continuous and uncontrolled use of the internet can lead to addiction, affecting children’s psychological and physical health.
• Inappropriate content: Many websites contain content that promotes violence, pornography, racist ideas, and other inappropriate behaviours.
• Cyberbullying: Unwanted messages and harassment from other users can have a significant psychological impact on children.
• Alienation from real life: Excessive internet use can alienate children from the real world and reduce their interaction with family and friends.

The role of schools in providing cybersecurity education and integrating cybersecurity into the educational system 

Schools play a crucial role in protecting students, and cybersecurity education now is more necessary than ever. By integrating cybersecurity into the curriculum, schools can teach students the importance of online safety, responsible use, and the potential dangers they may encounter while navigating the internet. Through education, students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to protect themselves while also contributing to the development of a culture of digital responsibility. 

Moreover, schools should be able to offer substantial support to students and their parents on cybersecurity issues. By incorporating educational programs on online safety, they can provide students with tools and skills to stay safe. These programs should include privacy management, identification of false information and proper online behaviour, thus helping students develop responsible digital habits.

IT classes can teach students safe software programming and ethical hacking, while social studies classes can examine the social impact of cyber threats and the importance of privacy protection. 

Tips for parents and children 

Parents play a vital role in ensuring their children’s online safety. By actively participating in cybersecurity education, parents can reinforce the lessons taught at school and provide guidance on responsible internet use. Open communication between parents and children is crucial, as it allows discussions about potential online dangers and the importance of privacy protection. 

• Use available support tools: Parents should be informed about parental control settings on the devices and applications their children use to limit exposure to dangerous content.
• Promote open dialogue: Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children how they use the internet, their favourite websites, games, YouTube channels, etc. They should ask about their feelings and be aware of any concerns they may have.
• Maintain a balanced approach: Recognizing that the internet offers many positives, parents should encourage children to share their experiences and be educated about the risks.
• Inform about how to seek help and report: Even if they feel their children are knowledgeable and good users of technology, they should continuously inform them of ways to seek help or complain about something.
• Family internet use agreement: A family agreement on the use of the internet and electronic devices, with defined rules and limits, will help all family members use the internet responsibly.

Advice for children 

• Protect personal data: Avoid sharing information such as their full name, address, phone number, or school with strangers online or on social networks.
• Create strong passwords: Use unique and difficult passwords for each account and avoid sharing them with anyone except parents.
• Be cautious with strangers: Communicate only with people they know and trust in real life and immediately inform parents of any suspicious communication.
• Avoid sharing personal photos or locations: Before uploading photos or location information, children should consult their parents.
• Address cyberbullying: If harassment occurs, children should talk to parents or a trusted adult.
• Seek help for any problem: Children should not hesitate to inform their parents about anything that concerns them online.

Strategies and resources for promoting cybersecurity awareness 

To effectively promote cybersecurity awareness, schools can implement a variety of strategies and utilize different resources. An effective approach includes organizing interactive workshops and seminars, where experts inform students about the latest cyber threats and provide practical advice for online safety. Additionally, the use of educational games and simulations makes learning about cybersecurity fun and engaging for students. There are also many online platforms available that offer interactive lessons, games, and seminars on cybersecurity topics tailored to different age groups. 

The impact of cybersecurity education on future career opportunities 

Apart from protecting students from cyber threats, cybersecurity education opens significant career opportunities for the future. The demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to increase, and education in this field, along with other emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), data analytics, data engineering, etc., can help students develop valuable skills that will serve them in their future careers. 

Cybersecurity education is not just a necessity of our time but a critical factor in shaping a safer digital future for children, adults, and our society as a whole.