Study Reveals Students, Teachers Vulnerable Online

Lack Knowledge About Cyber Security Issues

A study released yesterday indicates 25 percent of teachers are uncomfortable teaching students how to protect themselves online despite the mandate in the No Child Left Behind Act that all students be digitally literate by the 8^th grade.  Of the 1,788 educators polled, 90 percent have received less than six hours of professional development about cyber security in the last year.

A two-year-old already working the computer. A great tool with a great responsibility. Photo courtesy of Jean Macado

Children ages 10 - 14 spend more time on the Internet than watching television, but only the states of Georgia, Illinois, Tennesee and Virginia have educational curriculum requirements that include cyber security.  The precautions normally taught include protection measures for online predators, cyber bullies and identity thieves.

The study conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and Educational Technology, Policy Research and Outreach also indicated that 60 percent of educators are interested in learning more about cyber security issues.

Although many are highly concerned about online sexual predators, a bigger problem for children is cyber bullying that affects more children and is one the rise.  A report from the Crimes Against Children Research Center (CCRC) at the University of New Hampshire indicates that online harassment has risen from six to nine percent for American children ages 10 to 17 during the period from 2000 to 2005. 

By comparison, only about four percent received an online sexual proposition in which the solicitor attempted offline contact.  The common statistic quoted for online sexual predator contact online is 1-in-7, but many of those encounters were probably not true Internet sex offenders according to CCRC.  A good portion consisted of casual rude comments or perceived by the recipients to be from other children.

However that’s no reason to be complacent the CCRC warns, and they publish an Internet safety guide in addition to the many other fine resources at their website.  Among the recommendations and tips in the teen safety education piece are the following: 

• The Web is a lot more public and permanent that it seems, so be smart about what you say and post there.
• Sexy pictures can get an underage person in trouble with the law even when the subject posts them, because they may be considered child pornography - a very serious federal and international crime. Such pictures can also attract attention from unwanted people.
• Adults who talk to teens about sex online are committing a crime. There isn’t anything fun, harmless or romantic about it, so report it at once.
• Don’t harass others, because this invites retaliation that may not be expected.
• Always be cautious about meeting someone you “know” from an Internet connection. The person may not be who you think. Tell your parents, bring a friend and always meet in a public place. Carry a cell phone and have enough familiarity with the meeting place to have an exit plan. 

Please visit the CCRC for more excellent information about how to protect children from these and many other potential challenges and dangers.

As Michael Kaiser, executive director of the NSCA points out, “Schools are not alone.  nonprofit groups, government, the private sector and parents all play critical roles in ensuring children’s safety online.”