Young people, in particular, use the internet more and more to meet new people, do their homework, and have fun. The internet has grown to be an important part of our daily lives. Cyberbullying, online fraud, and identity theft are just a few of the risks of using the internet, even though it offers a lot of opportunities and tools. This is why it is so important for young people who use the internet to know about the risks and take steps to keep themselves safe while they are online.
When it comes to teaching younger Internet users about cyber security training, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
Protect your personal information. Younger people might not realise how important their personal information is, but hackers and scammers do. Pay attention to what you post online, and unless you have to, don’t give out your full name, address, phone number, or any other sensitive information. Consider using a password manager to help you keep track of all your passwords, and make sure each of your accounts has a strong, unique password.
Be careful of internet scams. Scammers are always looking for new ways to trick people into giving them their money or personal information, so it’s important to stay alert. Be on the lookout for phishing scams, which can come in the form of emails or messages that seem to come from a reputable organisation but are actually attempts to steal your personal information. Do not click on links or download files from sources you do not know. Also, be careful with deals that seem too good to be true.
Utilise the privacy settings: Many social media platforms and other websites provide privacy settings that allow you to determine who may access your postings as well as your personal information. You should take advantage of these settings. Make careful use of these options to your advantage, and if the idea of anybody being able to read your information makes you feel uneasy, you might want to think about ways to keep your accounts private.
Be very careful when talking to people you don’t know online: When you use the Internet, it’s easy to trick yourself into thinking that you can’t be found and that no one knows who you are. But you should never forget that behind the screens there are real people. You should never give out personal information or meet up with someone you just talked to online without first talking to a parent or another trusted adult about the situation. Especially when it comes to online dating and social media, you should be very careful because these places can be good places for con artists and people who act in a predatory way.
Keep in mind that whatever you publish online has the potential to be viewed by a significant number of people the moment it is made public. It’s easy to get excited about sharing your thoughts and experiences online, but it’s important to remember that what you post could be seen by a lot of people. Before you post something online that could hurt you, embarrass you, or hurt your reputation, give it some serious thought.
Be aware of the problem of cyberbullying, which is a serious issue that can have effects on kids and teens that last for a long time. If you or someone you know is being bullied online, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a responsible adult or someone in a position of power. You need to remember that you are not fighting cyberbullying alone and that there are tools to help you.
Be very careful when you download mobile apps or games: Many apps and games can be downloaded for free, but they may have optional in-app purchases or ads that are either very expensive or very annoying. Before you download an app, you should check the reviews and see what permissions it needs. Also, you should think about putting a limit on how much can be spent on in-app purchases or getting rid of them altogether.
Make sure that all of your devices are running the most recent versions of the software and security fixes. It is of the utmost importance that you keep all of your electronic devices, including your computer, smartphone, and tablet, updated with the most recent versions of their operating systems and any available security updates. These updates often include important fixes for security holes, and they can help keep you safe from dangers on the internet.
