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How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying – Guide for Teachers

Cyberbullying has become a major challenge in schools, affecting students’ well-being and academic performance. With the rise of social media and digital communication, bullying no longer stops at the school gates—it follows students home, creating a constant threat. Teachers play a crucial role in addressing this issue, but many feel unprepared to tackle it effectively. This article explores practical strategies for teachers and schools to prevent cyberbullying, from classroom practices to school-wide initiatives, equipping educators to create a safer, more supportive environment for all students.

Understanding Cyberbullying: Key Definitions and Prevalence

Cyberbullying is the intentional use of digital platforms—like social media, texting, and email—to repeatedly harm or harass someone. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen anytime, anywhere, and it leaves a lasting digital trail. According to Common Sense Media, cyberbullying is defined as repeated, intentional harm carried out through digital communication channels. 

The problem is widespread. Statistics show that around 15-35% of students experience cyberbullying in some form. This issue is more prevalent now due to the growing use of smartphones and social media among students. Hendry et al. (2023) found that about 1 in 5 students report being cyberbullied each year. It’s not just a small-scale issue—cyberbullying can cause serious emotional distress, impact academic performance, and lead to long-term psychological effects. Teachers need to be aware of the scale of the problem to effectively address it in their classrooms.

Given how pervasive this issue has become, teachers are in a critical position to help stop it. However, many are unsure how to intervene, especially when bullying occurs online and outside of school hours. Schools need clear policies and strategies to deal with cyberbullying effectively. Recognizing the signs and knowing how to react is crucial in helping students feel safe.

The Role of Teachers in Preventing Cyberbullying

Teachers are the first line of defense when it comes to preventing cyberbullying. They’re in a unique position to spot early signs of bullying, whether it happens online or spills over into the classroom. According to De Luca et al. (2019), teachers play a critical role in addressing both the victims and the bullies, offering emotional support and guidance when needed. This means they’re not just responding to incidents but actively working to create a safer environment.

One key action teachers can take is establishing open lines of communication with their students. When students feel comfortable talking to their teachers, they’re more likely to report cyberbullying early on. Hendry et al. (2023) emphasize that teachers who build trust with students can detect and address problems before they escalate.

Teachers also have the ability to shape classroom culture. By fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity, they can reduce the chances of bullying behaviors taking root. The goal isn’t just to stop bullying when it happens but to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Teachers who monitor digital behavior and set clear expectations for online conduct can help curb cyberbullying.

Ultimately, teachers need both the training and the resources to act effectively. Schools must provide them with the tools to intervene and prevent cyberbullying, empowering teachers to make a real difference.

Effective Educational Strategies for Cyberbullying Prevention

Education is the most powerful tool teachers can use to prevent cyberbullying. Raising awareness among students about the consequences of cyberbullying—both legal and personal—is crucial. Hendry et al. (2023) highlight that when students understand the serious repercussions of online harassment, they are less likely to engage in it. This means discussing cyberbullying openly, including the potential harm it causes and the legal actions it can lead to.

Teaching digital citizenship is another vital strategy. This includes lessons on online ethics, respecting privacy, and understanding the impact of one’s online actions. Common Sense emphasizes that students need to learn how to navigate the internet responsibly and treat others with respect online. By incorporating digital citizenship lessons into the curriculum, teachers can help students develop healthy online behaviors that reduce the likelihood of cyberbullying.

Anti-cyberbullying programs can also make a big difference. Tozzo et al. (2022) found that school-wide programs that engage both students and families are most effective in reducing bullying incidents. These programs often involve workshops, role-playing, and discussions that promote empathy and teach students how to stand up to cyberbullies.

Ultimately, the goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to prevent cyberbullying themselves, reducing the need for reactive interventions.

Best Practices for Monitoring and Intervention in Cyberbullying

Teachers need to be proactive in monitoring student behavior, both online and in class, to catch signs of cyberbullying early. Regularly monitoring students’ digital interactions—especially during school hours—helps identify problems before they escalate. This isn’t about invading privacy, but ensuring students are safe when using school resources.

Immediate intervention is key once cyberbullying is detected. Teachers must act quickly and decisively to report the incident to the appropriate school authorities. According to Espelage (2017), timely intervention can prevent the situation from worsening, protecting the victim and addressing the bully’s behavior before it spirals further. Schools should have clear protocols in place to guide teachers on how to handle such situations effectively.

Encouraging open communication is another important strategy. When students feel they can approach their teachers about cyberbullying without fear of judgment or retaliation, they are more likely to report incidents. Teachers can foster this trust by regularly discussing cyberbullying and reminding students they have a safe space to talk. Creating an environment where students feel comfortable reporting cyberbullying is crucial for early intervention.

Ultimately, the combination of monitoring, immediate action, and open communication creates a safety net that helps protect students from the harmful effects of cyberbullying.

School-Wide Approaches to Cyberbullying Prevention

For cyberbullying prevention to be effective, schools need a unified, school-wide approach. Clear, comprehensive policies that outline the consequences of cyberbullying are essential. These policies must be regularly communicated to students, staff, and parents to ensure everyone knows the rules and what will happen if those rules are broken. Common Sense notes that schools with updated policies and consistent staff training see better outcomes in reducing cyberbullying incidents.

Collaboration between teachers, administrators, and parents is key. Stauffer (2011) stresses the importance of involving parents in prevention efforts, as they can reinforce the same anti-bullying messages at home. Schools can hold workshops or meetings to keep parents informed and engaged, which helps create a consistent message across all environments—home, school, and online.

In addition to policies, schools should work to build a positive, inclusive culture. Programs that promote respect and inclusivity help prevent bullying behaviors from taking hold. Fstering a positive school climate, where students feel connected and respected, reduces the likelihood of cyberbullying. This can include character-building programs or peer mentorship initiatives that encourage students to support each other.

By creating a collaborative, inclusive environment and enforcing clear policies, schools can tackle cyberbullying more effectively, reducing its occurrence and mitigating its impacts when it does happen.

Teacher Training and Professional Development

Teachers need proper training to effectively combat cyberbullying. Many feel unprepared to address digital bullying, which highlights the need for ongoing professional development. Lan (2022) stresses that high-quality teacher training programs improve teachers’ understanding of cyberbullying and equip them with practical strategies to intervene when necessary. These programs should cover the basics of identifying, addressing, and preventing cyberbullying in both online and classroom environments.

Training should also focus on building teachers’ confidence to respond quickly and effectively. Many educators hesitate to act because they are unsure of the best approach or fear overstepping. Researchers have noted that well-trained teachers are more likely to intervene early and prevent cyberbullying from escalating. This can involve role-playing scenarios, workshops on digital behavior, and understanding the legal aspects of cyberbullying.

Beyond training, schools should offer ongoing support to teachers. Creating peer support networks, where educators can share experiences and strategies, is a useful way to keep teachers engaged and informed. Rajbhandari (2023) highlights that teachers who feel supported by their peers and administration are more likely to be proactive in addressing cyberbullying.

In the end, consistent, well-designed professional development gives teachers the tools they need to make a lasting impact on cyberbullying prevention in their classrooms.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Cyberbullying Prevention Programs

Regular assessment of cyberbullying prevention programs is essential to ensure they’re working. Schools should gather feedback from students, teachers, and parents to evaluate the impact of these programs. Tozzo et al. (2022) point out that effective programs often involve continuous monitoring and adjustments based on student feedback and incident reports. Surveys or anonymous feedback forms can provide valuable insights into how well the program is resonating with students and staff.

Tracking the number of reported incidents over time is another key method of assessing effectiveness. A decrease in cyberbullying reports might indicate success, while consistent or rising numbers could suggest that the program needs tweaking. Many researchers have emphasized the importance of using real data to assess whether school policies and educational initiatives are having the desired effect.

Long-term effectiveness can only be achieved with regular reviews. Schools should evaluate their programs annually, adjusting them based on new trends in digital behavior and feedback from the community. Programs that are stagnant or outdated won’t address the rapidly changing digital landscape, so flexibility and adaptability are crucial. Schools that make adjustments based on their assessments see better results in reducing cyberbullying incidents. 

By consistently evaluating and refining prevention strategies, schools can ensure their cyberbullying programs remain relevant and impactful.

More on Cyberbullying Prevention 

Which is an appropriate way to minimize cyberbullying?
Implement anti-cyberbullying programs, teach digital citizenship, and establish clear school policies with consequences for bullying. Monitoring online behavior also helps detect issues early.

How can you help prevent internet addiction and cyberbullying?
Educate students on healthy online habits, set limits for screen time, and teach them to use digital tools responsibly. Encourage open conversations about the impact of excessive internet use and bullying.

How can you protect yourself from cyberbullying?
Limit sharing personal information online, block and report bullies, and use privacy settings on social media. Always talk to a trusted adult if you’re targeted, and document incidents for evidence if needed.

How to prevent social bullying?
Foster a positive school culture that promotes respect and inclusivity. Address bullying behaviors promptly, encourage bystanders to speak up, and provide support to both victims and bullies to prevent future incidents.

“How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying” Guide: Next Steps

Cyberbullying prevention requires more than just reactive measures; it demands proactive strategies and continuous education. Teachers play a crucial role, but they need the right tools and support to make a real difference. That’s where SurfWisely comes in. By offering engaging, gamified cybersecurity awareness training, SurfWisely equips educators and students with essential skills to navigate the digital world safely. Their approach blends sports-themed learning and captivating videos to make complex concepts accessible and fun.

Start empowering your students and boosting your cyberbullying prevention efforts with SurfWisely. Try the platform for free and experience how enjoyable learning about cybersecurity can be. Start your free trial of SurfWisely and take the first step toward creating a safer digital environment at your school.

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Types of Cyberbullying & Their Impact on Students

​​Cyberbullying has become a pervasive issue in today’s digital age, impacting individuals across various online platforms. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying occurs in a virtual space, often leaving victims with little escape from the harassment. This article breaks down the different types of cyberbullying, explores its prevalence among adolescents, and examines how technology has shaped this harmful behavior. By understanding the forms and effects of cyberbullying, we can better tackle this growing problem and create safer online environments.

Taxonomy of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can be broken down into several distinct categories. Common types include flaming, harassment, denigration, impersonation, outing, and trickery. In more detailed research, Iqbal (2022) identified eight primary types of cyberbullying, with categories like cyberstalking and exclusion added to the list. 

Impersonation and identity theft are growing forms of cyber aggression. Research from Grover (2023) shows that hiding behind false identities and ridiculing others are frequent forms of attack in online environments. These behaviors become more prominent due to the anonymity that the internet offers, making it easier for perpetrators to act without immediate consequences.

Online platforms facilitate the rapid spread of these behaviors, with social media being a key space for cyberbullying to occur. Whether it’s direct harassment through comments or more indirect methods like excluding someone from online groups, cyberbullying takes many shapes. The classification of these types provides a clearer understanding of how it affects different groups.

Types of Cyberbullying Among Adolescents

When it comes to adolescents, cyberbullying often shows up in specific behaviors. The most common forms include offensive name-calling, spreading false information, and making threats. These actions dominate the online bullying landscape for teens, with name-calling being the most frequent behavior reported in studies.

Zhu (2021) highlights four major types of cyberbullying among teens: verbal violence, exclusion, impersonation, and the spreading of harmful content. Verbal violence, like hurtful comments or insults, tends to be the most reported form, while exclusion — deliberately leaving someone out of online groups or activities — also ranks high.

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to these types of cyberbullying because they are heavily involved in online spaces. Platforms like Instagram and Snapchat provide a safe space for these behaviors, where the boundaries between real-world relationships and digital interactions blur.

Interestingly, gender plays a role in how teens experience cyberbullying. Girls are more likely to face relational bullying, such as exclusion or rumor-spreading, while boys tend to fall victim to more direct forms like flaming and harassment.

Understanding the different forms that cyberbullying takes in adolescent communities is crucial for addressing its impact. It gives parents, educators, and policymakers better tools to identify and prevent online abuse in these spaces.

Prevalence and Impact of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is not just widespread, but its effects are significant. Watts et al. (2019) show how it negatively impacts both academic performance and social behavior. Victims often struggle with concentration in school, while their social interactions deteriorate, leading to isolation.

The effects are not just limited to the victims — cyberbullying harms everyone involved in the cycle. Perpetrators of cyberbullying experience heightened stress, poor academic performance, and increased risk of mental health issues like depression. 

The academic and social impacts of cyberbullying extend beyond school. Many victims carry the emotional weight of these experiences into other aspects of their lives, often resulting in long-term behavioral and social issues. 

Modes of Cyberbullying and Technological Influence

Social media platforms are the main stage for cyberbullying. Apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat make it easy for users to target others with harmful behaviors. Iqbal (2022) notes that the popularity and ease of communication on these platforms allow cyberbullying to spread quickly, often without immediate consequences.

The anonymity provided by the internet plays a big role in cyberbullying. People can hide behind fake profiles, which encourages more aggressive behavior. Grover (2023) points out that anonymity makes users bolder, leading to more frequent and severe attacks that might not happen in face-to-face interactions. This has made behaviors like impersonation and identity theft more common online.

As more communication happens digitally, forms of bullying like exclusion, impersonation, and catfishing are becoming more sophisticated. Cyberstalking, where someone repeatedly harasses or threatens another person through digital means, is another growing concern.

The technology itself often escalates bullying. Instant messaging, group chats, and public comment sections allow harmful messages to reach a wide audience in seconds. This speed and reach make it difficult to control or stop once it starts. The technological tools that enhance communication also amplify the damage caused by cyberbullying.

Types of Cyberbullying Next Steps

As cyberbullying continues to affect students in increasingly complex ways, it’s crucial for educators to be proactive in addressing this issue. Understanding the different forms of cyberbullying and their impact on academic performance and social development equips educators with the knowledge needed to create safer learning environments. Schools play a vital role in teaching digital citizenship and fostering responsible online behavior.For educators looking to bolster their school’s cybersecurity awareness, SurfWisely offers a tailored platform designed with students and schools in mind. SurfWisely’s engaging, gamified lessons make it easy for students to understand key cybersecurity concepts while having fun. The platform’s sports-themed approach simplifies complex ideas, making them accessible to learners of all ages.

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What are You Doing to Train Students Against Cyber Crime

This fall marks the beginning of the third school year in a post-pandemic world, and it’s no secret that K-12 systems across the country are facing some pretty serious challenges as we find ourselves still in the midst of one of the most transformative global events in living memory. Remote learning and unprecedented online connectivity in classrooms have helped keep the current generation of students from completely missing years of their education, and though in person learning is back, educators are still relying heavily on technology to manage growing class sizes and supplement traditional styles of teaching. Teachers have an incredibly tough job, and we support anything to make their lives easier. However, as remote learning, classroom connectivity, and school owned devices that go home with students all seem to be here to stay, an important question arises: What is being done to protect students against the increased risk of cyber crime that comes with the widespread adoption of technology in K-12 education? The answer: It depends on the school. 

The responses to the threat of cyber crime in America’s schools are as diverse as the institutions themselves. At the time of this writing, there are almost no top down provisions being made to ensure that every student in the nation is protected from digital threats. By scanning the Department of Education’s website you’ll find a few sparse guidelines for reducing the risk of online attacks, but none of these guidelines provide any real world advice on how to implement the suggestions. This lack of direction when it comes to digital safety means that every state, community, and even individual school has to essentially fend for itself. A few, mostly private and charter institutions, have the funding to purchase impressive software systems that can provide a good defense against attacks, as well as hire IT staff to maintain both the software and hardware used for digital learning. Unfortunately though, most school systems in our country don’t have the independent resources to create and apply their own unique cybersecurity plan. Teachers, administrators, and IT specialists tend to be stretched to the breaking point as a matter of course, and there’s rarely money for things like basic building repairs, much less an extensive cybersecurity overhaul.

To us the solution to this problem is clear. If the money to invest in comprehensive defenses against cyber threats isn’t coming from the federal or state level then we need to be teaching students to defend themselves by instilling foundational cybersecurity skills and tech literacy from a young age as a regular part of school curriculums. Don’t get us wrong, there’s a ton of value in security software that can monitor network activity and block certain types of content, but this approach is all defense and no offense in addition to the steep cost. To truly keep students safe from cyber attacks, and make effective use of the precious few resources public schools in particular receive, we need to empower students with the tools they need to protect themselves from cyber threats in school and beyond. 

Cybersecurity is an important part of personal safety in modern life, but to most people its best practices are much less intuitive than physical safety. At its core, cybersecurity is a skill that needs to be taught and practiced just like any other. A software system like SurfWisely is designed to do exactly that. SurfWisely engages students with the content by stressing the importance of cybersecurity, showing the freedom tech literacy provides, and using fun and familiar sports themes. The platform is a ready-made curriculum exploring a wide range of relevant topics that’s easy for teachers to pick up and run with.  

SurfWisely’s goal isn’t just safety in the present moment. One of the main benefits of teaching students tech literacy is that it introduces the idea that they too could have a job in IT some day. IT professionals make cybersecurity possible for large scale institutions like schools, and in only a few years we could see students who were given access to programs like SurfWisely graduating from high school with a solid foundation in cybersecurity and entering a pipeline to important, high paying jobs in IT. A new generation of tech savvy professionals who deeply understand how to defend themselves and the organizations they lead against the constant threat of digital attacks would help cut off the flow of easy money that cyber criminals are currently taking advantage of at a rate the world has never seen before. Today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators and thought leaders, and despite the threats that come with modernization, the future is bright for these kids. If we do our part as parents and educators, we can help ensure that our children leave high school fully prepared. It’s clear that the federal government isn’t going to take real steps to achieve this goal anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do the work ourselves in our own communities to empower the next generation by giving them the tools they need.  

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Back to School is Ransomware Season

 The rise of remote learning and the near ubiquitous use of online devices in the classroom has planted education squarely in the digital sphere. As a result the learning process has become more adaptive and resilient to global forces such as the Covid-19 pandemic as well as more accessible for students of all abilities than ever before. However, one of the drawbacks to an increasingly digitized educational landscape is a heightened risk of cyber attacks, particularly those that use ransomware to extort money from an organization or individuals. Schools can be especially enticing prey for this kind of crime due to the multitude of devices connected to a single system going in and out of the facility each day. The Department of Education’s guidelines for managing cyber crime risks are woefully obsolete, with no updates in over a decade. This means that the school systems lacking the means to create their own risk management plans are routinely left vulnerable. Both of these factors are part of why learning institutions of all levels are some of the most common targets of cyber crime. 

According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, incidents of ransomware doubled over the course of 2021, with this kind of attack being a part of 10% of all data breaches they observed across all sectors. In order to protect against this kind of crime it’s important to understand what ransomware actually is, so here are a few fundamental facts:

  •  Ransomware is a type of malware that’s surreptitiously installed on a device or network of device, and then encrypts the data contained on that device, thus locking the owner out.
  • Some of the ways it can be installed are by clicking a link in an email, downloading an unfamiliar file, or directly to an unsecured device via usb. 
  • The victim is told to pay a sum of money or “ransom” in exchange for the key code that will unlock the device. Paying the ransom is no guarantee that the data will be secure. A victim’s personal information can still be sold on the dark web. 
  • It is often used in conjunction with other forms of cyber crime such as phishing and identity theft.
  • Ransomware is becoming easier to employ due to the rise of RaaS or “Ransomware as as Service”, a trend where hackers will design a new ransomware program that they then sell to other cyber criminals.

While many schools and school systems have turned to cyber security systems that monitor the use of all connected devices while also blocking certain types of content, it is an unfortunate reality that no system is perfect. Threats inevitably slip through the cracks without a security approach that includes both offense and defense. The best way to create a proactive offense against ransomware attacks is to educate the students themselves about how to spot and deflect cyber attacks. 

One of Surf Wisely’s educational modules focuses entirely on ransomware because it is such a common threat to today’s students. Creating a strong foundation in personal cyber security practices in a way that engages students is the best way to ensure that they retain the information they need to keep themselves safe in the digital world. As kids return to school across the country they’re given access to laptops, tablets, smartphones, and educational apps that all communicate back to the schools central network. This access to internet ready devices is what makes remote learning possible, but it also creates millions of potential points of entry for cyber criminals to exploit. That’s why it is so important to include cyber security as a core part of any modern school curriculum from a young age.  

Protecting students of all ages, as well of the institutions they attend, from extortion and identity theft due to ransomware attacks is a key component to defending against cyber crime in general. Ransomware is becoming less difficult for criminals to employ as the skill to write the software has become unnecessary. The easiest targets are unsuspecting internet users, especially those who use devices connected to a large institution’s network. With a little bit of effort from us as parents and educators, we can teach students about the risks of digital life, and help ensure that the next generation doesn’t fall victim to the opportunistic criminals who would exploit them for profit.

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Is Your School’s Software Really Secure?

With everything happening in the world today, many of us feel like we’re living in uncertain times. This is especially true for kids and students, who face threats we never even dreamed of when we were their age. Not least is the threat of cybercrime both at school and at home, which is why it is so important that we give educators and caretakers the tools they need to defend students against any number of digital attacks. From foundational internet safety and literacy to best practices when it comes to devising security, there are countless tools and systems on the market geared toward helping minimize the risk of cybercrime for today’s youth, but not all of these have been created equally. What are the most important factors to consider when choosing exactly how to go about teaching students to take control of their digital lives, and what approach will result in the most solid defense?

One route that has been popular among schools and other institutions where children frequently use online devices is the utilization of monitoring and filtering software. This can be an important tool in the fight against cybercrime, and many of these products offer an impressive suite of features. Some of the popular features of this kind of software often include things like content monitoring, alerts sent to parents and teachers, filters that block certain content categories, and time limits on device usage. The passive nature of this kind of software makes it easy to implement on a large scale, and it can begin to fade into the background as part of the day-to-day digital landscape for students where such programs are in place. 

Another type of product often used in schools as the main line of defense against cybercrime is using software integrated as part of a larger learning platform. Since the focus is not entirely on cyber security, these kinds of systems can go a step beyond simple monitoring and filtering software when it comes to blending into the scenery. Teachers might build an entire online learning space for their students that just so happens to have built-in cyber security features running behind the scenes.

Regardless of particular monitoring and/or filtering products’ scope, functionality, or ability to be integrated into existing systems, they are all limited by the simple fact that no program is perfect. Every system has its flaws, and, unfortunately, no one is better at finding the cracks in the armor than cyber criminals. The classic “teach a man to fish” metaphor holds true in this case. Equipping schools with robust software is an important part of a holistic cyber security plan, but it will never be a full solution to all digital threats because, by their nature, a software program can only react to what has already happened. The fact that they often blend into the background can be a double-edged sword as well. Although it can be beneficial from a monitoring standpoint for a product to function relatively unnoticed by students, this can also create a sense of complacency. Students get used to having the safety net of a filtering system that automatically blocks certain content. Instead of learning to protect themselves in dicey situations, they can be drawn into a false sense of security and left to fend for themselves with no real cyber security skills to draw upon in a context outside of school. 

To truly address the issue of online vulnerability it is important that we empower students with the skills and knowledge to keep themselves safe in the digital world. Surf Wisely is one of the few platforms on the market that actually takes a proactive approach to teach cyber security best practices. Instead of waiting for threats and warning signs to appear, Surf Wisely uses a gamified curriculum based on familiar sports language and imagery to engage students and put them in the driver’s seat when it comes to their own safety online. This prepares them for the reality of life outside the safety of the classroom and sets them up for success for years to come.

Digital interactions are becoming an increasingly important part of daily adult life, both professionally and personally, with many people forming thriving careers entirely online. The only way to safely navigate the vast array of digital spaces we come across is to do so with a certain level of confidence, self-reliance, and caution. These are all traits that Surf Wisely can help foster in students with the goal of helping them grow into responsible, well-protected online citizens. Yes, passive software that runs in the background is an important part of an institution’s cyber safety strategy, but in order to fully protect students as individuals from the first time they log onto a social media platform or activate their first smartphone, we have to give them the tools to protect themselves through intentional education in a way that feels fun and engaging!

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More Effective Learning Through Play

Today we live in a world that is increasingly online. Education, work, and community are all spheres that we participate in digitally, and this is not just true for adults. In 2015 a Pearson study found that sixty-six percent of middle school students in the U.S. have their own smartphone. The current generation of kids has never known a world without the vast possibilities and countless pitfalls of an internet connected society.  Because of this, it’s important that childhood education includes the fundamentals of cyber security.  

Just about any kid you meet understands the importance of fundamental physical security measures like locking your car or avoiding people who intend to do you harm, and similarly, they can also easily be taught the value of security online. The problem, however, is how do we make the foundational skills themselves stick consistently for every student in a given classroom?  

It has been proven time and again that children (and adults) learn concepts and build habits much more readily when they are presented as a game.  Our brains are evolutionarily wired to seek out novel experiences that will provide growth and pleasure. The elevated mood caused by playing a game we enjoy carries with it an increase in executive function. Concentration, decision making, and memory creation are all improved when we acquire knowledge in the context of an enjoyable experience, because it creates a deeper kind of learning than passively absorbing information. This deeper learning known as “generative learning” has been heavily studied and is associated with active participation in the acquisition of new knowledge.  In short, a game the student enjoys creates many more points of connection for an individual than teaching methods such as lectures or reading assignments.  Conversely, boredom is a clear impediment to learning. Going through the motions of teaching new skills in a classroom without some aspect of fun or relatability to the students is a quick way to ensure that those students put in the bare minimum, and it’s not their fault.  That’s just the way humans work!  

This is the key to Surf Wisely’s unique approach to teaching cyber security skills to kids.  Our product helps students build good habits around protecting themselves online by conveying them in a fun, interactive package that doesn’t just feel like homework. We use familiar sports themes to create easy to understand analogies, and competitive play to teach important concepts.  

Cyber security fundamentals have a clear place in any modern educational curriculum.  Today’s students deserve to know how to keep themselves safe in a world that demands an increasingly high level of online activity for both personal and professional success.  These are skills that will serve them now, and into adulthood.  We see this gap in the education of the youth, and our internet safety program is specifically designed to address it effectively.  If you’re ready to say goodbye to boredom in the classroom, and embrace the positive effects of engaged learning through our gamified app, contact our team to learn more or to start a free trial.

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Cyber Security and STEM Education Go Hand in Hand

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If you’ve been in the education industry long at all, you know how much kids love STEM. The subject brings a number of benefits, including critical thinking, technical skills, and more. Its entire field is on the rise — according to Forbes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census predicts a 13 percent increase in science, technology, engineering and mathematics jobs in the United States between 2017 and 2027. And it’s not just being taught for jobs — the topic might just be our nation’s next line of defense against cyberattacks, too.

The main place where STEM and cybersecurity cross paths is technology. When we dive into what cybersecurity actually is, it involves coding, programming, and more — all of which require some serious scientific thinking to plan and implement.

STEM also affects cybersecurity in real life as our students grow. By teaching these two subjects together, experts say you can help to develop a skilled cyber workforce, enhance national security, and advance technology and the economy.

Three Tips to Include STEM Skills in Your Cybersecurity Lessons

With a little planning and creativity, combining STEM and cybersecurity lessons can be pretty simple.

1). Cover the Basics

Cybersecurity lessons may include a lot of familiarization with phishing tactics, strong password making, and the like, but the people committing the crimes are also deep into the tech space. Help kids learn about malware and how it works — this isn’t just a STEM skill, it’s a way to help them prevent those pesky viruses from attacking their devices down the line. Who knows — the lesson you teach might spark an interest in a high-level cybersecurity job or STEM degree in the future.

2). Don’t Shy Away From Studying Hackers

The science piece of STEM includes tons of data. In cyber and information security, it can boost students’ overall understanding to look into what the hackers are doing. Knowing the prevalence and common practices of the guys on the other side can help students prevent the crimes from occurring in their lives, too.

· Who is being hacked?

· When are they being hacked?

· How often are they being hacked?

· What is the average age group of individuals being hacked? 

· What social media platform is most susceptible to hackers?

Knowing all about cybersecurity threats, hackers, and their victims is likely to spark many more tech-related conversations in the classroom.

3). Give Cybersecurity Curriculum a Go

If you’re ready to teach both STEM skills and cybersecurity to your high school students at the same time, a carefully curated software can help. SurfWisely is an engaging, gamified program that uses the competitive edge of sports to entice students in cybersecurity education. Our skill set is designed to make a difference in the real world — preventing phishing, malware, and so much more.

If our cybersecurity + stem program sounds like it might be a good fit for your school, feel free to contact us at any time. We’d love to support your learners as they dive into these important topics.

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Don’t Let Your Students Fall Victim to Identity Theft

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SurfWisely Synopsis:

Why does this matter to me?

For Parents: Identity theft is real and scary, and unfortunately, your children are not immune. How can you protect them in this area? A little bit of training in proper cybersecurity practices can go a long way.

For PTAs: Keeping students safe on school computers takes a significant amount of training and supervision. One of the dangers you need to protect them from is child identity theft. Teaching kids what this is can make a large impact, and we have a program that can do just that in a fun and engaging fashion.

For Principals: You have enough worries on your plate — student ID theft shouldn’t be one. By implementing a high-quality cybersecurity curriculum, you can ensure kids understand what this danger is as well as how to prevent it from happening to themselves. Our easy to use and engaging platform makes the princess simple, too.

More About Student Identity Theft Prevention

Cybersecurity isn’t just a topic for kids to learn about for future purposes. Online dangers can affect them in their youth, too. Particularly identity thieves, who have recently proven to be a significant issue for students today.

Some common types of identity theft include medical identity theft, tax identity theft, credit theft, and more. Unfortunately, kids can fall victim to every kind.

Some of the best tips to help students prevent identity theft for students and adults alike include:

  • Keep social security cards at home, preferably in parent possession. Teach students to not give out their social security numbers to illegitimate sources.
  • Avoid sharing sensitive information such as phone numbers, addresses, debit or credit card numbers, bank accounts, and birthdays, especially when people or online forms ask for it. 
  • Review social media posts that can aid in the information-gathering process for identity theft.
  • Use smartphone security features, including fingerprint or face identification as often as possible.
  • Utilize firewall and virus protection on personal and school computers.
  • Changing passwords after data breaches at financial institutions or other accounts that have personal information stored within them.
  • Teach students to not send personal or financial information via email, as phishing scams can often be difficult to spot.
  • Signing up for identity protection services when it is deemed necessary (past breeches, etc).
  • Make a recovery plan in case identity theft occurs, including reaching out to local police and law enforcement and contacting credit bureaus. 

One of the strongest identity theft protection measures for students is freezing credit reports. A credit freeze ensures no one can open new credit cards or loans with a student’s social security card — which are processes they aren’t likely to do in high school anyway. It can keep them safe from sneaky financial actions that can cause so much harm to their future endeavors.

This action won’t lower the future score, either. It simply keeps students safe before their credit scores start to take off.If you’re looking for support in training your students to prevent them from becoming victims of identity theft and other cybersecurity threats, our online internet safety program can help. Our gamified app is both fun and informational, helping kids learn about identity theft, cyberbullying, malware, and so much more. We’d be happy to fill you in on the details anytime — just contact our team and tell them when you’re ready to chat.

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Five Skills Students Need to Protect Themselves Online

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Why does this matter to me?

Parents — Keeping kids safe online can feel like a full-time job. It can be difficult to know where to start, which is why we’ve put together a list to help you out. Teach your kids about scam emails and pop-ups, keeping their personal information private, using strong passwords, understanding internet permanence, and the fact that they can come to you anytime questions arise. For more detailed internet safety tips and tricks, dive into the post below.

Principals and School Administrators — Online safety brings a whole new realm to keeping kids protected on school grounds. How can you possibly overcome such a significant feat? Starting small can help, so we’ve put together a list of the first skills to teach in the post below. Our gamified, easy-to-use software can help you solve the problem, too.

Tech Teachers — You know all about cybersecurity and internet safety, but do you have time to include every piece of these important topics in your educational technology lesson plans? If not, SurfWisely may be the perfect solution. Jump down to the bottom of this post or reach out to our team today to learn more.

Simple Internet Safety Skills to Teach Your Students

Whether it’s distance learning, apps, or social media interaction, our kids are spending time in the digital world more than ever before. And unfortunately, with this increase in internet usage comes heightened safety concerns

We know it’s our job to keep our kids safe, even when the task seems larger than we can accomplish on our own. So let’s dive into a few simple skills that are easy to teach, but still leave a lasting impact on cyber safety understanding:

  1. Spotting Malware Ads and Emails — One of the easiest ways to get in trouble (or run into technology problems) on the internet is by accidentally allowing malware to enter your device. Malware can include pop-up advertisements on websites — typically with unlikely claims (you’ve won a million dollars, for example). It can also come in messages that ask you to click on a link or insert phishing information. Encourage students to never open a message from a sender they do not know, and share that the links in these conversations may not be safe. Have students come to you if an advertisement doesn’t seem right, as you’ll be able to help them spot the differences between safe ads and malware popups.
  2. Keeping Personal Information Private — Most students already know that they shouldn’t share information online due to identity theft. To instill the practice further, you may need to look into more age-appropriate concerns. Bring up the consequences of sharing full names, addresses, phone numbers, and schools attended on unfamiliar sites or to people they do not know face-to-face online. This article on college admission halts due to social media activity is a great place to start.
  3. Password Protection — Some students may not think a solid password is important, while others may think the simplest versions are the best ones to choose. Encourage long passwords without personal information such as names, family members, pets, or birth dates. Teach students about the importance of using a mixture of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Remind them to use different passwords for different sites. Maybe even have a fun activity once or twice a year where everyone changes passwords to encourage optimal usage time frames as well!
  4. Understanding Internet Permanence — “Everything you post on the internet stays there forever.” They’ve probably heard this before, but do they understand? Bring up examples of silly jokes from high school ruining job opportunities years down the line, and other similar challenges that come with digital footprints. Kids learn best from real-life lessons, and internet safety education is no different.
  5. Asking Questions — Remind kids that internet dangers aren’t something to be embarrassed about. Encourage sharing of questions and concerns — maybe even bring up some mishaps you’ve experienced personally to show kids that getting help from a trusted adult is no big deal. This can be helpful in preventing the dangers shared above as well as other worries such as cyberbullying and inappropriate content.

An Easy-to-Implement Platform to Help

Though the tips above can help, internet safety is a heavy topic with a lot of moving pieces to cover. If you’re looking for a simple way to share internet information with your students, reach out to the team at SurfWisely today. We offer engaging and all-inclusive internet safety software for school use. We teach through gamified, sports-based lessons that are fun for kids, and our program integrates into your school system for easy use on your end, too.

Let’s work together to keep our elementary school, middle school, and high school students safe online — one engaging and effective lesson at a time.

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