School children as young as 10 learn how to be cyber savvy

This week, ACA together with Commonwealth Bank launched a new School Cyber Security Challenge for Years 5 and 6 students. The challenge teaches personal information security by encouraging students to think from a hacker’s point-of-view. Designed specifically for primary school students, this challenge presents foundational security concepts through a series of conversations with characters from a social media world.

Commonwealth Bank’s Group Chief Information Security Officer, Keith Howard, said: “We understand children are connecting online more than ever before, so it’s critically important we take steps to keep them safe and help them make the most of their online experiences.”

“Commonwealth Bank has been partnering with ACA since 2019 on the Schools Cyber Security Challenges, providing teachers and parents with the necessary resources to support the education of cyber security, and to raise awareness of careers.

“This is the first time school children as young as 10 years old have been able to take part in the Schools Cyber Security Challenges and learn to be cyber aware.”

Mr Howard said data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics found 97 per cent of all households in Australia with children under the age of 15 years, have access to the internet. As such, it was now more important than ever to explain to children the importance of being cyber aware when online.

“If you have a child or family member in school, you’ve probably considered both the challenges and opportunities that digital technologies offer young people today,” Mr Howard said.

“The Schools Cyber Security Challenges help young people understand privacy and information security in a fun, gamified environment.”

As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, parents and teachers can now preview the challenges free for four weeks, commencing 26 October 2020.

For more information about the Schools Cyber Security Challenges click here.