With the increasing use of technology in all aspects of our lives, educating young students about the risks and best practices for staying safe online has become more critical than ever.

Here are some reasons why it is essential to teach cybersecurity to K-12 students:

1. Protecting Personal Information: Children and teenagers often share personal information online without realizing the consequences. Teaching them cybersecurity can help them understand how to protect their sensitive information online.
   
2. Developing Responsible Online Behavior: As digital natives, children are already adept at using technology but need guidance on how to use it responsibly. We can help them understand the importance of ethical behavior online by teaching them about cybersecurity.
   
3. Understanding the Risks: Students should know the different types of online threats, including viruses, malware, phishing scams, and identity theft. By understanding these risks, students can learn how to recognize and avoid them.
   
4. Preparing for Future Careers: Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly important field, and students with a strong understanding of cybersecurity will be better equipped to pursue careers in this area.
   

Our guest on this episode of Class Dismissed is Tamara Shoemaker. She’s been working in the K-12 space for eight years to increase the availability of cybersecurity education. 

She co-authored a book with her husband, Professor Dan Shoemaker. They aim to cut through the usual roadblocks of confusing 

technical jargon and give teachers a unified understanding of what students should learn. The book, called Teaching Cybersecurity, has recently topped Amazon’s bestselling list in ‘Home Computer Networks’. 

Listen to Episode 243 of  Class Dismissed Podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcasting app to hear our complete discussion with Shoemaker.

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