DNS - Study Shows Need to Teach Cybersafety in US Schools

A new survey, “State of K-12 Cyberethics, Cybersafety and Cybersecurity Curriculum in the U.S.,” has found that more than three quarters of U.S. teachers have spent fewer than six hours on any type of professional development education related to cyberethics, cybersafety, and cybersecurity within the last 12 months.

 

 

In addition, the survey uncovered that more than 50 percent of teachers reported their school districts do not require these subjects as curriculum; and only 35 percent taught proper online conduct.

 

This new poll, released by the National Cyber Security Alliance “NCSA” and supported by Microsoft (News - Alert) Corporation, found that America's young people aren't receiving adequate instruction on using digital technology and navigating through cyber space in a safe, secure and responsible manner.

 

Michael Kaiser, executive director of the NCSA said, 'The study illuminates that there is no cohesive effort to provide young people the education they need to safely and securely navigate the digital age and prepare them as digital citizens and employees.'

 

Yet, despite this lack of professional development and consistent teaching of Internet safety, the survey shows that America's teachers, school administrators, and technology coordinators strongly agree that cyberethics, cybersafety and cybersecurity curriculum should be taught in schools.

 

The poll, conducted by Zogby International, surveyed more than 1,000 teachers, 400 school administrators and 200 technology coordinators, and has supporting analysis conducted with the Maryland-based research organization Educational Technology, Policy, Research and Outreach “ETPRO.”

 

'Schools can be assisted via partnerships between public and private-sector entities,' said Jacqueline Beauchere, a director at Microsoft Corporation's, Trustworthy Computing Group, and the company's representative to NCSA's Board of Directors. 'Such partnerships encourage information and idea-sharing and, most importantly, help give teachers the training they need and want so they can instruct their students about cybersecurity, cybersafety and cyberethics. Microsoft supports efforts to provide teacher training, and is proud to be one partner, helping to provide K-12 educators across the U.S. the resources they need and the training they seek.'