By Russ Munisteri, CISSP
Have you ever watched your child breeze through a tablet or smartphone and wondered just how safe they really are online?
Did you know that 82% of K-12 schools reported experiencing cyber threat impacts in the past year, with nearly 14,000 security events and over 9,000 confirmed cybersecurity incidents?
I taught elementary school in Forsyth County, Georgia, and saw how technology can unlock incredible learning opportunities — but also brings new risks, if we’re not careful. The beginning of a new school year is a great time for families to refresh their understanding of cybersecurity basics, no matter how old their kids are.
Technology in the Classroom
When I was teaching, we made technology a key part of our learning environment. Our classrooms were equipped with computers and tablets, and we encouraged students to use them for research, creative projects, and teamwork. At the same time, we set clear boundaries: Devices were strictly for educational purposes — not for games or sharing personal details. Each year, we went over responsible use, reminding students to protect their privacy, treat others with respect online, and stick to schoolwork when using technology.
Those early digital citizenship lessons made a lasting impact on my students. By setting clear expectations and emphasizing learning, they developed wise online habits — habits that are even more important today as kids of all ages use mobile devices at school for everything from completing assignments to connecting with friends.
Why Cybersecurity Matters Now More Than Ever
Kids today are growing up surrounded by technology more than ever before. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 94% of children ages three to 18 have internet access at home, with most using personal devices like smartphones and tablets instead of shared family computers. This widespread connectivity means children’s online exposure — and the risks that come with it — are at an all-time high.
Children and teens are especially vulnerable because they may not recognize the warning signs of phishing, identity theft, or online scams. In fact, a survey conducted by Norton found that 72% of parents say their kids have participated in risky online activities, like accessing mature content or giving away personal information. Why are kids targeted? Trust!
Key Cybersecurity Tips for Kids and Parents
Mobile devices are a big part of kids’ lives these days, but it’s important they use them in ways that keep them safe and healthy. Here are some smart habits families should follow to get the most out of their devices while staying protected:
– Encourage kids to explore educational apps, research tools, and creative activities that support their schoolwork and help them grow.
– Before handing over a phone, set clear guidelines about when and how devices can be used. Many families create simple agreements, so kids understand what’s expected, like sharing passwords with parents and limiting screen time.
– Teach kids to always know where their devices are and never leave them unattended. Lost devices can be a goldmine for cybercriminals.
– Try to keep devices in shared spaces at home, especially for younger kids, to make it easier to monitor their activity.
– To avoid distractions and promote good habits, kids shouldn’t use phones in their bedrooms at night or during family meals. This helps with sleep and family time.
– Children under 13 should avoid social media or only use it with parental supervision. Parents should decide which apps are okay and keep an eye on what kids download.
– Teach kids to set social media accounts and profiles to private and turn off location sharing on all devices when it’s not needed. Make sure they don’t accept friend requests from people they don’t know, and never share personal info, like phone numbers or addresses, online.
– Kids should always check with parents before downloading files or new apps or making purchases from untrusted sources to avoid malware or unsafe content. Explain what suspicious links and messages look like and remind kids never to click on anything they don’t recognize — whether it’s in an email, a game, or a text.
– Remind kids to step away from screens regularly, get moving, and spend time doing other activities to keep a healthy balance. (Back in the 80s on Long Island, we kids did not have such devices. When the streetlights came on, we knew the day was over!)
– Help your child create unique, hard-to-guess passwords for each account. Encourage them to change passwords regularly and never share them with friends.
– Set up filters to block inappropriate content, limit screen time, and monitor online activity. Most devices and apps now have built-in parental control options.
– Remind older kids and teens not to use public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like logging into school accounts or banking apps.
– Make sure all devices have the latest security updates and patches installed to protect against new threats.
– Make sure kids know they can come to you if they see something weird or upsetting online. Open communication helps catch problems early.
Looking Ahead
As technology continues to evolve, so will the ways our kids interact with it, making ongoing education and open conversations more important than ever. By staying proactive and involved, parents can help their children navigate the digital world safely and confidently for years to come.
Stay safe, stay smart, and remember—cybersecurity starts with you!
Russ Munisteri, a Holly Springs resident, brings over 25 years of combined hands-on IT experience and education to his role as a cybersecurity awareness expert. As a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), he is dedicated to helping individuals stay safe online through his work at urcybersecurity.com and is available for further information.
https://www.cisecurity.org/insights/white-papers/2025-k12-cybersecurity-report
