Web watchdog training for schoolkids: learning the internet's power players in charge of security.
Freshening Up the Web Safety Classroom
Nurturing the digital generation isn't just about surfing the web; it's about ensuring a safe, secure online journey. And that's exactly what the 'Digital Hour' project, a collaborative effort between ANO "Digital Economy", the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, and Avito, aims to achieve. With the theme of this season focusing on combating phishing and other internet perils, the program is Set to boost young minds' awareness and skills in the ever-evolving digital world.
As per Sergey Plugotarenko, General Director of ANO "Digital Economy", this transformed season of 'Digital Hour' has a workforce of game detectives, analysts, product managers, and ML engineers who will join forces with Zaplatnya, Skobets, and the Slashes brothers in a thrilling interactive storyline. These characters come together to protect an animal shelter, learning how to aid others and dodge the clutches of cybercriminals while shopping online.
In the spirit of fostering the next generation of web guardians, Natalia Yumatova, Director of Trust and Safety at Avito, believes, "This isn't merely educating children to safeguard their data, but cultivating a generation that lays the foundation of a secure digital ecosystem, with trust and security as its cornerstones."
The educational materials have been tailored for three age groups. The little learners of grades 1-4 will be initiated into the art of creating robust passwords and skeptically examining fishy ads. Children in grades 5-9 will embark on a journey to study the ins and outs of anti-fraud systems, analyzing information, and detecting digital dangers. High school students, those in grades 10-11, will dive deep into the basics of machine learning, learning how to set up algorithms, identify vulnerabilities, and develop protection strategies for digital platforms.
This quest-style training course awards virtual points for each successfully completed task. Once earned, these points can be converted into real-world currency to be utilized for altruistic purposes, such as supporting animal shelters, children with autism spectrum disorders, or providing equipment to the 'Lisa Alert' search and rescue team.
Students who excel, scoring a '5+' on their trainer, will be entered into a grand raffle. The prize pool includes gadgets, concert tickets for celebrated artists, and other exciting surprises.
In the grand scheme of web safety education, the digital hour is one way to equip young minds with the essential skills and knowledge to traverse the vast online world safely and securely. Though the content of the program seems unique, it aligns closely with several other initiatives that prioritize educating children about the widespread aspect of digital citizenship and online safety, such as implementing digital citizenship curricula, offering age-appropriate online safety programs, hosting awareness events, and workshops, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders for a holistic approach to protecting children in the digital realm.
- The 'Digital Hour' project, in its transformed season, aims to enhance cybersecurity education for young minds, equipping them with skills to navigate the evolving digital world securely and protect themselves from online threats such as phishing.
- The educational materials designed for the 'Digital Hour' encompass three age groups, ranging from creating strong passwords and analyzing fishy ads for primary students to study of anti-fraud systems, machine learning, and protection strategies for high school students.
- To foster web guardians of the future, this program offers learning through an interactive storyline that not only trains students in cybersecurity but also encourages altruism, with virtual points converted into real-world currency for charity purposes, such as supporting animal shelters and other noble causes.
