Recent updates to a children’s cybersecurity kit aim to help kids understand their own role in cyber safety, from creating strong passwords to steering clear of phishing scams.

According to a news release this week, the latest version of the Children’s Interactive Cybersecurity Activity Kit from KnowBe4, a company that trains employees and other end users to guard against common cyber crimes, includes a new video lesson for students and a new tech feature for schools. The announcement said the company created the kit as a free online resource for parents, students and teachers, and it continues to evolve “based on the latest threats and feedback from partner institutions.” The kit contains games, videos and printables geared toward kids ages 15 and younger.

One new feature is that educators can now download the kit’s content in the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standard, for use within their own learning management systems or virtual learning environments.

Another addition is a video lesson for teachers or parents to use along with the kit’s existing Hack-a-Cat Roblox Game. While the game explores issues such as phishing and ransomware, as well as ways to defend against these tactics, the new lesson module explains each concept directly. The video was created in response to feedback from teachers, according to John Just, chief learning officer at KnowBe4.

“The excitement around our Roblox game prompted educators to request an accompanying lesson,” Just said in a public statement. “We’re thrilled to add this to our children’s kit, enhancing its value for students worldwide.”

Other lessons in the kit focus on AI safety for students, steps to deal with cyber bullying and how to spot a phishing scam. There’s also another game, Password Zapper, in which kids destroy bad passwords and save good ones. The kit’s printables include an activity book, poster and two tabletop games.

Source: https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/cybersecurity-kit-for-kids-offers-lessons-in-online-safety