The Internet has become part of our daily lives. Even little children whose minds are not fully developed access the Internet for one reason or another. It is therefore cardinal that we assure their safety on a communications medium that is not supervised by any single authority.
Public places that have activities/products deemed harmful to young minds are regulated in all communities. An underage is not allowed in a pub, night club, brothel, sex shop, gambling house or any such place. If owners are found to have allowed under aged patrons, they are subjected to punitive measures. The Internet is the world laid bare with no restrictions. When one owns an Internet accessing gadget like a smart phone – it literary means they have the world raw in their hands. Young minds are naturally inquisitive and if we do not control what they access online; we increase their vulnerability living them at the mercy of predators and cyber criminals. They will innocently share sensitive information or equally access emotionally damaging material. Once an insecure child becomes a target of hackers – the risk will spread exponentially through their circle of friends.
The safety of children online is crucial. Any compromise on
Internet security can have far reaching implications. Cyber criminals can have
access to sensitive information through clumsy actions by kids. Besides Cyber
Crime; children are also targeted for Cyber bullying, violent and adult content.
This sort of material has potential to cause emotional damage to young minds. With
the advent of Education Technology it might be impossible to block kids from
accessing the internet – we can only assure their Safety Online. The average
parent might not be well versed with means of securing the safety of minors
online. Most of us are actual at risk from cyber attack whether at work or
through our personal cyber accessing devices.
Innovation
and Technology have been by far the major contributors to economic development.
The world fastest growing companies – Facebook/Uber/Starbucks – testify to this
fact. Most Schools are aggressive in their pursuit of STEM subjects (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Maths). This program would be impossible to
effectively roll out without access of the Internet by both
Educators and Learners. Some subjects will require practice which can only
happen with Internet access. Through Technology, innovation has caught up with the
education process. There are now more efficient academic processes and products
like smart classrooms, gamification of learning, use of mobile applications
and the Internet as a research methodology. This has shifted attention from
whether a school needs Internet Connectivity to whether the school has the best
Internet connectivity. The Internet is known to be infested with Cyber
Criminals of all sorts. Being online has various risks. How safe are Educators
and their Learners when they are online?
The Internet has become an integral part of the learning
process. Every school needs Internet connectivity. With the Internet
administration processes including communication are streamlined. Education
Informatics makes it possible for Technology through Innovation to improve the
learning experience and administration processes. Effectiveness and
efficiency in classroom and all learning activities are improved through
Technology. Most Innovations that are available online do not cost much.
Infrastructure including hardware does not need huge capital outlay as most if
not all stakeholders posses cyber accessing gadgets. A strategy to utilise
owners’ gadgets is promoted through the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). The
Internet is a haven for Cyber Criminals and a host of content that is harmful
to Learners. It is therefore cardinal for any School to have an Internet Policy
that protects the institution against Cyber Attacks. Every School
Administrator needs to be aware of best practice methods in formulating Internet Policy that protects
the Institution whilst promoting the exploitation of Online Technologies for
academic excellence. School Administrators ought to be equipped with the necessary knowledge that will help them maintain a safe Online Environment in their Institutions.
We run a series of training for School Kids below 15 years; Parents or Guardians; Educators; School Administrators. For more details and bookings kindly visit the events page of our website
