Safeguarding Your Digital Life at School
For students in the digital age, the boundary between the online and offline worlds has increasingly blurred—making online safety considerations not just a good idea but an absolute necessity. It's an issue for everyone, but perhaps especially students, who rely so heavily on the internet for research, communicating with friends, and entertainment.
Staying aware of your personal safety, protecting your private data, and guarding against identity theft are essential steps that all students should take. In this article, we'll offer some deeper insight into these topics, along with tips, examples, and resources for both students and parents.
Personal Safety for Students
While the focus of this article is largely on digital threats and safeguards, any discussion of online safety for students must start with the topic of personal safety. The sheer immensity of the internet can deliver an enriching experience, but it's complicated by a lack of transparency and the potential to encounter unknown people using hidden identities.
Remember that the principles of personal safety apply as much to the online world as they do to the physical one. Imagine walking down a crowded street – you wouldn't share your personal information with every passerby. The same logic applies online. Regardless of how friendly or engaging someone may appear on the internet, they are, essentially, strangers until their identity and intentions can be verified.
And, if a situation arises where an online acquaintance proposes a public meeting, approach it with maximum caution. Bias yourself to meeting in-person only with people who are affiliated with groups, institutions, and associations that have verifiable histories and reputations. Always select a public, well-frequented venue for the meeting, preferably during the daytime. Try to take along a friend or family member. If that isn't possible, at least ensure someone trusted is aware of your location and the person you're meeting. Meeting in-person with like-minded students and teachers is a rewarding experience, as long as you start by considering issues of safety.
Student Cyber Threats & Security
The digital realm can come with risks and threats. And while it sounds simple, your first layer of defense against these hazards is a strong password. A strong password is a unique and complex blend of letters, numbers, and special characters that can withstand common hacking attempts. It's akin to a combination lock on your school locker– the more complex the combination, the harder it is to crack open.
Password managers can be useful tools in your security arsenal, especially with online learning, where you have a lot of logins to access your educational resources. These tools not only generate robust passwords but also store them securely, relieving you from remembering numerous complicated passwords. For an added layer of security, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. It's like a double-lock system that requires an added proof of identity, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Staying vigilant about software updates for your laptop or PC is another key aspect of cyber hygiene. Software updates often fix vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. An outdated system is like an unguarded fortress, tempting invaders to break in. Regular system updates act as your fortress guards, warding off potential threats.
Data Protection in School
As a student, you handle a variety of documents and data each day, from school projects you complete using your PC to personal photos and other digital keepsakes you plan to store forever. You may even have access to protected, school-controlled data such as research studies and lab reports. So, you need to be responsible in protecting these assets from exposure to data breaches.
Think of digital security as a set of building blocks. We've already discussed some of the foundation blocks—that is, strong passwords, secure authentication, and so on. Next comes encryption, which sounds complicated but is something that's typically done for you if you're following secure online practices. The most secure networks, apps, and software always encrypt or encode the data so it's unreadable if intercepted.
Of course, not every data loss is the result of interception and hacking. Sometimes it's just mistakenly deleted or lost due to a technical failure. So, consider regularly backing up your data by saving it to another location, such as a cloud storage service or external hard drive. Backups are a safety net, ready to catch you in case of a device malfunction or security breach.
Finally, don't forget the privacy settings on your smartphone apps and online services. They're often an overlooked aspect of data protection, especially on shared educational platforms. Use them to control who can access your data and how they can use it. And try to regularly review and adjust these settings to maintain consistent control over your information.
Online Scams and Phishing for Students
Just like the physical world, the online world is peppered with scams and frauds. Suspicious links and email scams target unsuspecting individuals, including students. Remember, EVERY webpage link you encounter, no matter how enticing, can be suspect—and even if it's contained in a message from a "friend".
One deceitful tactic employed by scammers is social engineering. It's a manipulative method used to trick you into revealing confidential information. Scammers make you think they're someone they're not, either by directly impersonating someone or by using URLs or email addresses that are similar but not identical to the proper ones.
As a rule of thumb, never disclose personal information unless you're sure of the recipient's identity or the legitimacy of the service you're trying to use. When clicking on a link, look at the bottom of your web browser to see if the actual URL that will be opened is the same one shown where you're clicking. If you're unsure, ask around to see if any fellow students have experience with the person or entity that's seeking to communicate with you. And when in doubt, don't click. Try an online search to find the webpage of interest (search engines employ rigorous methods to prevent unsafe websites from appearing in their results, to a significant extent).
Social Media Safety at School
The allure of social media lies in its ability to connect us based on shared interests, mutual friendships, personal beliefs, and more. Yet these platforms come with potential pitfalls—especially for students who may not yet be familiar with all the threats that exist in the social media realm. And beyond that, there's the issue of how much of your personal data you want to share with the social media companies themselves—and whether they'll be allowed to share your information with others.
Start by understanding the privacy settings on each social platform you use. They are your primary tools to control who sees your posts, who can contact you, and how your data is used. And yes, you've read about privacy settings already here. They're very important and should be prioritized in maintaining your digital safety.
Be mindful of your online reputation, as well. Many things that are posted on websites and social media are visible forever. And what you share today could influence your opportunities tomorrow. Future employers, graduate schools, and even potential life partners may review your social media profiles—old and new—for insight into your character. Be respectful and show the same manners online as you would in-person.
Finally, be aware of cyberbullying. It's a growing issue on digital platforms. If you find yourself targeted, remember that it's not your fault, and you're not alone. Always report incidents to the platform administrators and consider confiding in another trusted individual when needed. And periodically evaluate your own behavior on these platforms to ensure your own statements and actions aren't targeting others in a way they might consider bullying.
Parents' Role in Online Safety for Students
Regardless of a student's age, parents play an important role in ensuring their safety and well-being when using online tools and services.
The first step is always awareness—as a parent, try to stay abreast of the latest online threats (and safety measures) and openly discuss these topics with your child. Just as you taught them to look both ways when crossing a street, you also can teach them about online safety.
In addition, encourage an atmosphere of open discussion about your family's internet and website use. If your child encounters an uncomfortable or suspicious situation online, they should be encouraged to feel comfortable sharing it with you. Establish trust by fostering regular conversations about online experiences—it's an important part of internet safety.
Online Identity for Students & Examinations
Today's students must sometimes submit assignments and take exams and quizzes remotely, and proving your identity is a required first step. You can prepare for this by reviewing the examination and student integrity policies at your institution, often presented as part of each course's syllabus.
And no matter how you send in your projects or take your exams, it's important to always submit your own original work and ensure that you appropriately credit any sources you've used. It's the best way to avoid potential academic integrity violations. Most online institutions use plagiarism detection software to check for plagiarism, and you don't want your work flagged due to a misunderstanding. To avoid any issues, be sure to clearly cite all sources you've used.
It's also important to note that many online institutions require students to take proctored exams, either at a designated testing center or through an online proctoring service. Consider familiarizing yourself with the testing and proctoring requirements at your school, such as the type of identification required to take an exam and any additional accounts you need to set up.
Conclusion
Mastering online safety in educational settings is an on-going effort. Learn everything you can and stay up to date with the policies and best practices published by your institution. Stay aware of potential risks and pitfalls that could put you in an unsafe environment or inhibit your progress in online (and offline) courses.
Armed with the right information, you can use the internet freely to enhance your education, social interaction, and personal growth. Knowledge is your most potent defense. So, stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay safe.
