Understanding how to use technology in innovative, healthy, and safe ways is at the heart of Actua’s STEM programs. This understanding is a central concept to the Cyber Smart Education project.

Our goal is to create a new cyber smart generation ready to embrace the challenges of the digital age. We’re supporting youth to understand how to critically assess online interactions, avert online threats and use technology in innovative, healthy and safe ways. 

• Youth are curious, looking to form connections, explore and define their identities and interests. Friendships and other relationships are paramount at this age, and key influencers like family and friends are a big part of decision making. These defining adolescent traits are not inherently negative (in fact, they are incredibly valuable!), but can put youth in a risky place if they are not aware of safe and smart practices when online. Interested in learning more about the impact of influences at this age? Explore this survey conducted by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation on how diverse influences, such as social media, peers, and culture, play a role in influencing young people’s attitudes and behaviors toward science-related issues.
• Youth are subject to specific risk factors that make them particularly vulnerable to social pressures, online victimization and cyber insecurity. Young adults are in the process of developing their personal and social identities, and this search for meaning or belonging could lead them to being at risk for dangerous online behavior personally as well as susceptible to risky behaviors online from others; from peers to hackers to social pressures to phishing scams to false information.

In this section of the module, we will provide you with a rationale for why cyber smart education is essential for youth. It will also explain several of the key concepts, challenges and topics that develop when discussing cyber safety. Review p. 8-20 in the handbook below.

• What are you familiar with?
• Have any of these happened to you or someone you know? Something you’ve seen on the news?