Digital Street Smarts Course

Course Description

In this digital age, girls and adults must learn about online safety and cybersecurity to protect themselves, their data, and their digital identity. Through an understanding of the basics of cybersecurity, girls and adults can learn how to recognize and avoid phishing scams and potential online threats. They can also learn to secure their online accounts and keep their information safe. This course is designed to be inclusive of girls and all adults raising them, regardless of age, gender, or background. It is important for parents, grandparents, guardians, and anyone else who cares for young people to learn how to keep them safe online. By taking this course together, girls and adults can work towards creating a safer digital world for everyone.

Week 1:The Why and What - Computer Basics & Why Everyone Needs Cybersecurity - Even Kids!

We will explore the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity and the reasons why it is essential for everyone to learn about it, including children. We will introduce basic computer concepts and discuss how they relate to cybersecurity. We will also discuss the potential consequences of not taking cybersecurity seriously.

Week 2: Spy Games - Understanding The Internet & What it Knows About You

We will delve into the concept of online privacy and explore how our personal information is collected and used by various online platforms. We will discuss how to protect our privacy online, including strategies for limiting the amount of personal information we share.

Week 3: Master Manipulators - Hackers & Companies That Are Out To Get You

We will explore the world of hackers and the various tactics they use to exploit individuals and organizations. We will discuss how companies can use our personal information for their gain and examine ways to protect ourselves against these practices.

Week 4: Believe It Or Not? - Understanding Trust, Faking, Exploitation, & Mental Wellbeing Online

We will look at the various ways that online trust can be exploited, i.e. fake news and false social media accounts. We will also examine how these practices can impact our mental wellness and discuss strategies for recognizing and avoiding these types of manipulation.

Week 5: Hacker Defence Part 1: Passwords, Viruses And Malware

We will go through the various types of cybersecurity threats that individuals and organizations face, including password breaches, viruses, and malware. We will discuss strategies for protecting our accounts and devices from these threats.

Week 6: Hacker Defence Part 2: Network Safety

We will examine the concept of network security and discuss strategies for protecting our home and work networks from cybersecurity threats. We will also discuss best practices for responding to cybersecurity incidents and explore resources for further learning in the field.

Course Prerequisites: None

Course Duration: Online instruction will consist of six one-hour classes.

Course Fee: The total cost for 6 classes is $215 (including HST).

ADULTS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED TO ATTEND