The fact that the experience of cybersecurity also applies to children is confirmed by a survey conducted in January 2023 among people aged 7-17 at the request of ING Bank ¦l±ski. The respondents indicated that the most common case of a security breach is persuasion to click on a suspicious link – as much as 21 percent. of children and youth indicate that something like this has definitely happened to them, additionally – 31 percent. cannot rule it out.
Parents do what they can to keep their children safe in the ‘offline world’, but some things in the ‘online world’ are new to them. That is why it is so important for children and parents to be able to learn together the most important principles of online safety.
– Contemporary teenagers are digital natives, not only because of their skilful use of technological innovations, but also because of the virtual space for various activities. What for many is a curiosity from the press, for young people it is a way of spending time. There is room for education in the metaversum, provided that we organize it in a way that engages teenagers. Virtual world combined with fun. Combined with gamification and community, it can be a natural place to share knowledge. – notes Dr. Krzysztof Wojewodzic, an expert in the field of educational technologies.
Educational games – pleasant with useful
– In a study commissioned by ING Bank, 53 percent of children and teenagers surveyed are open to advice on how to use the Internet safely. The question remains how to use this potential, eg by playing together, in which knowledge and advice will be woven skilfully and attractively. Acquisition of the ability to navigate in the digital world should be an essential element of modern education – adds the expert.
Parents have a key role to play here – it is from them that 79 per cent. children get information on how to use the Internet safely. Common learning of good habits and approach to cybersecurity is extremely important, especially since the attitudes formed in our youth stay with us for many years.
Cybersecurity is still a relatively new field and not so easy to explain to a young person. However, since children like to spend their time playing, why not combine the pleasant with the useful and educate while having fun? This will make it easier for them to assimilate new information and will be more motivated. The educational game also allows you to learn about Internet threats in a safe way.
– Play is a very effective tool in the process of teaching good habits. Children who learn through educational games, such as “Miasto ING”, are more motivated and willing to assimilate new information, which translates into their long-term memory and learning effectiveness. Games are a natural way for children to spend time, and good habits are easier to introduce when they are integrated with everyday activities, says Krzysztof Wojewodzic, PhD.
That is why the educational game “City ING” was created on the popular gaming platform Roblox, which helps parents teach children how to be safe online. The players are prepared in the form of fun tasks and quizzes with age-appropriate questions and tips.
To show how important it is to follow certain rules or avoid certain situations on the Internet, the game also features a multiplayer mode for playing together with several people, eg with the whole family. In this mode, players take on the role of a hacker and members of a search party. Chasers can increase their odds by collecting special items and completing cybersecurity quizzes. However, the hacker is not defenseless: he can, for example, slow down the speed of the pursuers or reduce his visibility by playing other characters – in this way players can imagine how serious they can be effects of taking over their digital identity. – Learning about these rules, observing the threats caused by mindlessly clicking on unknown links, giving passwords, may protect future adults from serious consequences – says Krzysztof Wojewodzic, Ph.D.
The tasks in the game can be challenging and fun for parents as well. It is therefore a good idea to spend time together with children and an excuse to talk about safety on the Internet. – Combined with competition and community, as it is in Roblox, it can be a natural place to share knowledge – says Krzysztof Wojewodzic, PhD.
In addition, “ING City” allows you to practice good habits related to finances through play – by completing tasks, players earn virtual money. They learn to save, they can buy a virtual apartment or focus on character development. At every step they make a decision and face the consequences. This form of education is definitely popular among teenagers, because the game has been visited over a million times and is the most popular Polish commercial game on Roblox.
Free webinar with an expert
What, apart from an educational game, can help us talk to children about cyber-security? It is worth supporting yourself with the knowledge of experts.
a cyber-security expert from Niebezpiecznik.pl.
During the meeting, Konieczny will tell you how to protect children from inappropriate content, he will pay attention to how to secure accounts in games and applications. He will also talk about children’s privacy and parental control solutions.
Cybersecurity is a new field, a bit abstract for some. We also have our habits, and the digital world is still evolving. It is important to constantly develop knowledge and pass it on to the youngest. – Remote learning revealed urgent needs, indicated what we need to improve in order not to succumb to fake news and suspicious links. It is worth taking advantage of young people’s openness to acquiring knowledge in an environment that is attractive to them, stresses Dr. Krzysztof Wojewodzic.
The data comes from a quantitative study of children (7-12 years old) and young people (13-17 years old). The study was conducted in January 2023 by the Minds&Roses research agency, commissioned by ING. N=550
ING Bank ¦l±ski SA promotes and is fully responsible for the content in the ING City on the Roblox platform.
Promotional material of the ING brand.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
