Croton-Harmon Programming Students Share Cyber Safety Tips

From Croton Harmon Schools: Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School fourth-graders in Croton-on- Hudson were surprised to see the estimated time it would take a computer to crack their online passwords range from just a few milliseconds to hundreds of years, thanks to tips offered by Croton-Harmon High School Programming Club members.

Members of the club visited CET on Nov. 30 in recognition of Computer Security Day, where they shared some tips with the younger students about how to stay safe online as they learn more about using technology in school and at home. Club advisor and Croton-Harmon High School computer science teacher Soyoung Lim said the high school students were eager to share their knowledge of online safety with their younger peers.

“We just want to make sure [the students] know how to be safe,” said CHHS student Kathy Rykowski, who has been a member of the Programming Club since its inception two years ago. The club members offered mini lessons to the fourth-graders in their classrooms with three goals in mind:

1. To increase student knowledge of internet safety.

2. To aid the students in identifying dangers on the internet.

3. To help students protect themselves from inappropriate behavior online.

The high schoolers explained that rules and etiquette followed in the real world can also apply online, such as the concept of “stranger danger.” They reminded CET students to alert an adult if a stranger tries to connect with them online or if they encounter a website that makes them feel uncomfortable. The fourth-graders were excited to interact with the high school students and asked questions including, “can I share my password with a friend?” Other tips included reminding students not to open emails from strangers or share their email address or personal information without parental or teacher consent. The students also discussed hackers and creating strong passwords. “We told them to always be careful and to not be afraid to ask for help,” said Rykowski.

Photo Courtesy of Croton Harmon Schools