CYBER SAFETY

WHAT IS PRIVACY & INFORMATION SECURITY?

Privacy and information security involve protecting personal data and ensuring safe interactions in digital spaces. For students, this includes understanding the importance of privacy settings, creating strong passwords, and recognising cybersecurity threats like unauthorised data sharing. Learning these skills empowers students to safeguard their personal information and navigate the internet with confidence.

Key Concepts

Privacy Settings: Tools to control who can view and interact with personal information on platforms like social media and apps.
Strong Passwords: Essential for securing online accounts and preventing unauthorized access.
Data Protection: Understanding the risks of oversharing and how personal data can be exploited if not properly secured.
Recognising Threats: Identifying phishing attempts, scams, and malicious actors to protect personal and shared information.

TEACHING RATIONALE

Why This Matters

With growing digital interactions, protecting personal and sensitive information is more critical than ever. Teaching privacy and information security prepares students to handle their online activities responsibly, prevent data misuse, and contribute to a safer digital environment.

HOW TO TEACH

Guiding Principles at a Glance

Safeguard Personal Data Emphasize the importance of keeping personal information like addresses and passwords private.	Create Strong Passwords Teach students to use unique, complex passwords and never reuse them across sites.
Think Before You Share Encourage caution when posting information online to avoid oversharing or unintended exposure.	Understand Privacy Settings Guide students in configuring privacy controls on apps, games, and social platforms.
Recognise Red Flags Help students identify phishing attempts, scams, and suspicious links to avoid falling victim.	Secure Devices Stress the importance of using antivirus software, regular updates, and secure networks.

CURRICULUM PLANNING

Integrating Privacy & Information Security Into Your Classroom

Embed in Technology Lessons: Teach students how to configure privacy settings and create strong passwords during computer classes.
Link to Social Studies: Discuss data privacy laws, ethical data use, and the societal impact of data breaches.
Use Real-Life Scenarios: Role-play identifying phishing emails or securing online accounts to make the concepts relatable.
Connect to Media Literacy: Explore how personal data is used for targeted ads or algorithms, and discuss their implications.
Incorporate Classroom Rules: Model safe practices, like not sharing login credentials or enabling screen locks on shared devices.