By: Patrick Massey, Regional Director – Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
We know that children and teens spend a lot of time on their phones and computers during the summer break. Did you also know that nearly 70 percent of them have been exposed to at least one cyber risk in the past year?
That is one too many. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) wants to protect this vulnerable population by educating children, their parents, and their teachers about cybersecurity and how they can protect themselves from hackers getting into their devices.
We also know how challenging it is to connect with children and teens, especially with important information.
To better relate this vital message of being cyber safe to our kids, we have gone back to our own childhoods. Remember “School House Rock”? This series of animated musical and educational short films taught us about grammar, science, math, and of course civics (I’m just a Bill). Our character “Joan the Phone” incorporates four easy steps to take to be cyber safe into a fun and memorable jingle, reminiscent of those from “School House Rock.”
Tapping into this nostalgia, CISA has created a new Public Service Announcement featuring the character Max and introduces “Joan the Phone” who teaches us how to stay safe online. The program aims to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and empower individuals to adopt best practices to mitigate online risks.
Under the overarching campaign of Secure Our World, the animated messages can make a big impact and keep children, parents, and families safe especially during the summer and beyond.
Basic cyber hygiene prevents 98% of cyberattacks. It’s why we are focused to make cyber hygiene as common as brushing teeth and washing hands.
We encourage you to share the YouTube link We Can Secure Our World (youtube.com) with your children and others to bolster cybersecurity awareness, empower individuals to take action, and drive the adoption of the cybersecurity basics: encourage the use of strong passwords, use multi-factor authentication, recognize and report phishing attempts, and prioritize software updates.
Working together, we can help each other stay safe while online.
We Can Secure Our World (youtube.com)
Visit Secure Our World | CISA for ways to stay safe and free resources to use with your educational community.