October 29th, 2020

K-12 Cyber Awareness Month is an opportunity for students, families and staff to learn more about the importance of cyber security. Running from October 26 to November 20 and organized by the Educational Computing Network of Ontario (ECNO), this year’s campaign theme is “Work, Teach, Learn Remote, Secure and Safe” with a goal of helping everyone in K-12 education be safer and more secure online.

We have all embraced new education realities and new ways of teaching and learning in the past months. Understanding how to be safe in our online learning spaces is more important than ever before.

The ECNO website and its resources are also available in French.

K-12 Cyber Awareness Month

The campaign is divided into four themes which highlight different aspects of cyber security, online privacy and safety, as all three areas are of equal importance. For each weekly theme, resources from multiple sources are provided.

Week 1: Work, Teach and Learn from Anywhere

The first week takes a focus on cyber security and safeguarding your data, devices and systems.

Activities for Week 1:

Week 2: Why Me?

For the second week, the focus shifts to understanding cyber threats and why cybercriminals or malicious individuals may be targeting you.

Activities for Week 2:

Week 3: Think before you click, post or share

Focus on being cautious online and protecting privacy and personal information.

Activities for Week 3:

Week 4: Be Smart and Safe Online

The final week of K-12 Cyber Awareness Month, aligning with Ontario’s Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, will focus on understanding the risks to student well-being.

Activities for Week 4 are coming soon and will be posted on the ECNO website.

Digital Citizenship in the WRDSB

The Waterloo Region District School Board has developed a Digital Learning Strategy which models responsible use of technology. Our emphasis on digital citizenship promotes character development and responsibility in a digital world.

Digital citizenship refers to our online behaviours. A good digital citizen is someone who behaves appropriately and responsibly while using digital tools.

Why is it important?

Citizenship education is important for all students as it relates to all facets of life. We are citizens of many different communities, including those online, and we need to understand how to behave appropriately in order to be successful members within these communities. To this end, many classrooms are incorporating a variety of technological tools into learning activities to encourage students to be good digital citizens.

Digital Citizenship can only be learned through active participation in the digital world.

How can I support Digital Citizenship at home?

Conversations with your child about their digital use and their online presence are an essential part of their digital citizenship education.

For more information, refer to the Digital Citizenship section on our website, or check out the Digital Citizenship – Guide for Parents, created by the Government of Canada through Media Smarts.