We live in a cyber age of connectivity; a dangerous connectivity which is targeting our most innocent users, regardless of age.
When Reid Elementary Counselor, Anna Smith, saw an increased need to repeat cyber security training for Reid students, she scheduled a special guest to address the issue. On Monday, February 28, 2022, Mr. Jerry Mitchell, the Education and Outreach Specialist from the PA Attorney General’s Office, presented age-appropriate information about being wise in a digital world.
Mr. Mitchell was animated, down-to-earth, and engaging for students. He explained how strangers now have direct access to their homes and to their personal information through their cell phones, computers/tablets, and video games. In addition, with virtual reality, students are playing with people all over the globe, not just their friends from school. They no longer need to go to a friend’s house to play video games against them. Instead “people from around the world are inviting themselves into your house to play against you and these people are NOT your friends,” said Mr. Mitchell.
Once the online stranger has access, they begin asking questions that should never be answered, no matter how innocent the question may be. Mr. Mitchell explained that strangers ask: What’s your favorite color? Or sports team? Do you live around here? Where do you go to school? When is your birthday? How long is your hair? What’s your teacher’s name? What color are your eyes? All seemingly innocent, caring, friendly questions that actually provide clues to where to find you and how to identify you.
Mitchell also talked about bullying of all types and how bullying is illegal. Bullying can start as a light-hearted joke but increase into something more harmful. Students were urged to immediately tell an adult when they witness any type of bullying.
HOW TO BE CYBERCOOL
- Disconnect: hang up, stop the game, sign-off…whatever it takes to end the connection with a person you don't know.
- Tell an adult: when someone connects with you online, immediately inform an adult what happened. If you receive a photo or text from someone you don’t know, immediately show an adult.
- Give your device to an adult: let an adult check your device so they can delete the connection with the stranger.