Prevention of cyberbullying and internet use in Alicante schools

Digital identity, cyberbullying, hoaxes, and fake news. Some of the things that will be taught at schools in Alicante this year include these. The Valencian regional administration has decided to give fifth-grade kids, who are 10 and 11 years old, cybersecurity training earlier because they use mobile phones at a young age. It is worrying that children are being exposed to these hazards. Because of this, the training will also be available to family members and instructors at any school that asks for it, whether it is a public, private, or charter school.

“Kids are using the Internet at younger and younger ages, so it’s important to start teaching them about cybersecurity as soon as possible so they can spot and avoid threats and learn how to use technology responsibly,” said Ruth Merino, the Minister of Finance and Economy.

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Kids that age don’t usually have their own mobile phones, but they can use them and other network-connected gadgets for fun and learning through family or household devices.

Since 2018, the plan has trained 46,000 people in more than 500 Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO) centres, where students, families, and teachers of first and second year of Secondary Education have all received training. The cybersecurity centre expands the plan’s reach in schools.

What will they find out?

Kids will learn basic ideas and good security habits through a fun activity that is appropriate for their age. The activity will cover topics like how to set up devices securely, cybercrime, how to protect your digital identity and connections, and how to use password managers.

Javier Balfagón, the Director General of ICT and head of CSIRT-CV (the Generalitat’s cybersecurity agency), said that it is important to “convey to young people that cybersecurity is a basic digital skill that must be acquired to guarantee their inclusion and that of the rest of the educational community.” Because of this, we have decided to make our training program available to primary school children as well. For the last seven years, we have only taught first- and second-year secondary school students.

The regional representative said, “The Generalitat continues to work to adapt its actions with new initiatives in line with technological advances that allow us to prepare society for digital threats that may arise, mitigating the consequences of attacks, regardless of whether they occur in the personal, educational or work sphere.”

Author: Derek Appleton