Digital protection starts with use of passwords. Students must learn through direct instruction that passwords are meant to be used by only one person and that sharing passwords allows others access to accounts and information. Passcodes on phones are a great place to start. An unprotected phone is no different from one for which the owner provides a passcodes to others. Simple pranks can turn more malicious through changed passwords, unauthorized purchases, and texts/e-mails/media posts executed by someone else. Practices that apply to phones easily transfer to other devices such as tablets or laptops.
Students should also protect usernames and passwords for campus computer use and accounts. Again, friends often prank one another, and some students can behave maliciously toward others. To protect one’s work, students should keep log-in information confidential. In the event of group projects, students are better off storing work on flash drives rather than relying on a single student to save work. Anyone can access files from a flash drive, whereas if one student is saving work only to his or her account, the files are inaccessible if that student is not present. At present, a flash drive should be a required supply for all secondary students.
Students need to learn via video (such as the “Think Before You Post” Youtube video) as well as direct instruction the dangers that they might encounter when they fail to protect not only their device but also their reputation. Devices are often easier to protect through updates; reputation – and even physical security – is more easily placed at risk through ill-advised or poorly-thought-out posts (both text and photos) and/or communications. Hearing about these unfortunate experiences first-hand is a good learning opportunity, as are videos and sites that target and feature teens.
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