Data Privacy has been a hot topic on the news this year. But what does that mean? For starters, there is AB (Assembly Bill) 1584 in California which requires school districts to be aware of how other companies (often called “3rd party companies”) handle student data. They must make certain guarantees about digital storage, management, and student records before they can enter into a contract with your school district. Schools must also consider CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act), FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) among other things. The bottom line is that your child’s school must take their data privacy and digital footprint into consideration, and so should you.
These are great safeguards while your child is at school, but what about personal use? It’s important to teach your students about what to post, and not post, if you allow them to have social media (by the way, check those minimum age requirements). Here are some examples of things students (and parents!) shouldn’t post for safety reasons:
- Location (home address, school name, local hangout)
- Personal information (full name, birthdate, social security number, etc.)
- Photos of others without permission (theirs or their parents)
- Even if you know everyone they are friends with, it’s better to be safe!
Another way that personal data gets into the wrong hands is when we don’t pay attention to what we’re giving permission to – every app or extension asks you to “agree” before you can use it, but what are you agreeing to? I’ve heard that “I have read and understand” is one of the biggest lies on the internet, because most of us click “yes” without really reading anything. Teach your children to check with you before they say “yes” or “ok” online. And be cautious of online games and quizzes as well, these not only collect information about you, but they might also give your computer viruses or malware.
As parents you should be “friends” with your child on every platform they participate in and you should know their passwords as well. Have frequent conversations about who they are friends with online (tip: they should know them in person first, or as the kids say IRL – In Real Life) and what kinds of things they are sharing.
One final area to consider in protecting data privacy is to use the BCC (blind carbon copy) option when emailing a large group of people – especially if they don’t know each other. This is important to remember when coordinating fundraisers, emailing other parents, etc.
It’s important for students to build a positive digital footprint, since colleges and employers often look to social media to learn more about a candidate. Posting about things such as community service activities, church or service groups, school events (without naming the school), etc. are all good. Students today should think of their social media as an extension of their resume and put their best foot forward!
