#CyberAware is a family-friendly newsletter from the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). This month, we’re highlighting the complex digital lives of American teens and their parents and how to test your ability to spot a scam, along with recent online safety news.
Timely Resources From NCSA
- Keeping Up With Generation App – NCSA Parent/Teen Online Safety Survey: This U.S.-based survey, which interviewed hundreds of teens and parents of teens, provides an insightful look into American teens’ online behaviors and parents’ online safety concerns. The survey reveals internet users’ concerns about spending too much time online, tensions over tech use at home and thoughts on technology rules, along with other interesting findings. Check out the full report here, along with these supporting infographics:
- Rethink Cyber Safety Rules and the “Tech Talk” With Your Teens: Today more than ever, young people lead complex online lives and are faced with real-world problems. Check out our latest tips for discussing technology use and online safety with teens.
New Blog Posts
- Four in 10 US Teens Seek Help From Friends About Online Woes, New Microsoft Study Shows: Four in 10 American teens say a friend sought help from them because of a negative experience they had online, results of a new Microsoft-sponsored study show. Most situations involved harassment or bullying, according to those surveyed, while a quarter of respondents said their friends had been threatened online. Jacqueline Beauchere, Microsoft’s chief online safety officer, discusses these and other results of the Keeping Up With Generation App survey and Microsoft’s online safety resources and activities.
- Growing Up in the Digital Age: Analog Rules Still Apply: Many of the basic rules of growing up before the internet existed – such as look both ways before crossing the street, don’t talk to strangers and be kind to others – still apply to daily life in the digital age. Unfortunately, many children are not following these principles when they’re online. Patrick Craven, director for the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, addresses how we as adults can adjust to this reality, educate ourselves and set clear boundaries just like we had growing up.
Online Safety in the News
- Quiz: Can You Spot an Online Scam?: More than three out of every five American and Canadian seniors have been the target or victim of an online scam according to a 2016 Home Instead, Inc. survey. Quiz yourself to see how well you can spot an online scam.
- Q&A With Eva Velasquez of the Identity Theft Resource Center – The Red Flags of Child Identity Theft and How to Recover: Identity theft is often in the news as cyber threats like the recent Equifax breach can have devastating consequences for those who fall victim to it, and there is one group we may want to pay especially close attention to protecting from this crime – children. NCSA Executive Director Michael Kaiser shares his conversation with Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), about the issue of child identity theft, the impact of children’s information being compromised and what parents can do to protect children’s identities and recover from incidents.
Want more family-friendly online safety resources? Sign up for the #CyberAware newsletter to receive monthly updates.
Be a Part of Something Big – Become a Champion of Data Privacy Day 2018
Data Privacy Day is an international effort held annually on Jan. 28 to create awareness about the importance of respecting privacy, safeguarding data and enabling trust.
The Data Privacy Day Champion program is a way for everyone to get involved –including organizations and individuals. Take action and join the greater effort by registering as a Champion; it’s easy to sign up and does not require any financial support. As a Champion you will receive privacy and online safety updates, information about upcoming events leading up to Data Privacy Day and a privacy awareness toolkit. Register today!