Tech Trend

Cyber Security

Sign up by Oct. 12 to participate in Internet Safety Night!

It’s 9 p.m. Your children are online. Do you know what they’re up to?

Today’s young people are growing up on the Internet. According to a 2005 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, there has been significant growth since 1999 in the percentage of 8-18 year olds who have Internet access at home (from 47 to 74 percent), and who go online for more than an hour in a typical day (from 5 to 22 percent).

While the Internet offers youth infinite opportunities to learn, stay connected with peers, pursue career interests and have fun, there are also a number of hazards to avoid.

Many children are more Internet-savvy than their parents, but they may be unaware of the risks they can encounter in cyberspace. Nowadays, staying informed about Internet safety issues such as cyber-bullying, online predators, computer viruses and identity theft is as important to a young person’s wellbeing as building technology skills. The upcoming weeks bring several chances to get up to speed on the topic, as October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

The National Cyber Security Alliance is working to help increase awareness about Internet security issues. With a campaign that focuses on public relations activities and educational programs, as well as events for home users, small businesses and child safety forums, youth and families are encouraged to keep one idea in mind: Protect yourself before you connect to the Internet.

One event of note: On Oct. 23, the Missouri Research & Education Network (MOREnet) hosts a nationwide Internet Safety Night. Communities across the country are welcome to participate by hosting simultaneous local events and connecting to the main event in Columbia, Mo., via interactive videoconferencing or live streaming video. The goal is to create a live national discussion of Internet safety issues to help keep families safe online.

To participate in Internet Safety Night, simply choose a location with an Internet connection, and decide how you’ll connect to Columbia. Then invite youth, parents, law enforcement, teachers, counselors and other community members to attend. Let MOREnet know the details of your event and they’ll help you to promote it. The deadline for confirming remote host sites is Oct. 12.

Visit http://besafe.more.net/isn for more details on the MOREnet event. Also, be sure to search “Internet safety” in the CYFERnet database to find some 40 different educational materials on everything from social networking to privacy issues.