Op-Doc How Cyber-safe are our teens in their Cyber-bubble?

Noah RYU, Abody AL-ANI, Yong Chien LEOW

Cybersecurity is a rising problem among young people in our society. Cybersecurity is the protection of computer systems and networks from information disclosure, theft or damage to their hardware, software or electronic data, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.

Teenagers today consume the internet in a substantially similar way to adults. Young adults often engage in sensitive activities such as downloading sketchy apps or listening to pirated music. Social networking sites are currently being used to expose sensitive information, exposing it to a variety of security risks.

The brain of a teen is rapidly developing. Through this journey, teens are also determining for themselves the values and standards that will guide their decisions. Whilst this period is one of major progress, there are many vulnerabilities that can be attacked with the brutal forces of the cyber-world. Such is the case of naivety...

Teens believe that they are invisible online; this is a mental thought process due to a lack of tangibility. Or that they can take steps to be anonymous. That reduces concerns about detection leading to negative consequences. The impact of anonymity on human behaviour is not a new consideration!

Teens lack tangible feedback about the consequences of various online activities. The lack of feedback interferes with the recognition that certain acts have caused harm through empathy. Empathy being the foundation of remorse that one has caused harm to another. Thus, young adults that post highly sensitive information are destructive to their reputation and are exposed to multiple online dangers.

The major goal for teens is to find their place in society. For many teens, social media has become a means of exploration for this purpose. Teens have varying levels of social anxiety based on how they are regarded by others and how they feel, and this can mean doing irrational actions, like posting an inappropriate message, that leads them into trouble.

Teenagers often believe that what they do online does not affect their lives and forget that their real-life values and rules should guide their online choices. Just because they “can” do something doesn’t mean that it is right. A strong online social norm is that you have a free-speech right to post anything you want, regardless of the harm that it may cause to another. Many adolescents believe that since it is possible to download copyrighted content without paying for it, it is still okay.

Dangerous users online, as well as commercial sites, use sophisticated and devious techniques to manipulate and influence our teenagers. Even the most aware people be fooled—these predators exploit the weakness of the teenage mind!

These techniques include:

• Offering or providing gifts, which creates a feeling of indebtedness and an inclination to comply with a request that might not be safe or responsible.

• Seeking or encouraging commitment to an individual, a group, or even a commercial product that leads to an inclination to behave in a way that is consistent with the commitment.

• Creating special relationships built on social praise, affiliation with like-minded others, attractiveness, and familiarity.

• Establishing authority and thus encouraging behaviour in compliance with the dictates of such authority.

Teenagers must secure their online identities and should not allow strangers into their online world by being overly friendly or sending personal information without careful thought. The false attitudes that we have provide us with a false sense of security. We must all take whatever actions we can to keep them safe. It is safer not to engage in social groups where the people have not been personally met or to minimise the number of platforms being used. Social media platforms are programmed to exploit the weaknesses of the teenage mind, and although it may seem interfering and intruding, parents may need to take regulating measures to monitor social media activity for their teen’s wellbeing in the cyber world. - Noah Ryu

Op-Doc

Yong Kuang LEOW

Both families and high schools seem to have an ongoing struggle with youth mobile phone usage. However, in this generation, mobile phones are highly useful. They can take pictures, communicate, play games... the list of possibilities grows longer every day. These devices are convenient and useful, but at what cost? The list of ramifications have long lasting effects and challenges. As smart phones become increasingly prevalent among school students, schools face an important question - whether or not to ban phones in school grounds. In a 2020 PEW research article, 66% surveyed say that parenting and schooling is a lot more difficult than 20 years ago, with many people citing mobile phones as the reason.

As the isolation mandates from the covid-19 pandemic subside and the restrictions ease, things seem like they have returned to normal. Scrolling through social media such as Facebook and Instagram for hours are forced into our daily lives. Centre for Digital Wellbeing founder Carla Wilshire says empathy is lacking in the digital world and social media is designed to be addictive. Students spend school lunchbreaks scrolling through social media, TikTok or to just play games. In classrooms, the pull just to turn on the phone and ‘quickly’ check the latest message lingers in your mind. If you don’t take action to take control over mobile phone usage, they will draw you in and waste your time.

Mobile phones have always been a distraction in and outside of the classroom. Distractions come from ‘silent’ text messages, entertaining apps and unrestricted Internet access. The overwhelming distraction can set students off task in periods meant for leaning. Many incidents of bullying also come from unsupervised phone usage at school.

On the other hand, mobile phones provide a measure of security if you become lost. No other technology has made people feel more connected with emergency services, as well as family who can come their safety. Mobile phones also reduce boredom, especially during a long commute to school.

However... all of these positives are usually only useful outside of school grounds.

Some high schools have implemented strict guidelines to combat this. With one having taken it as far as issuing a two-day suspension for using their mobile phones in school hours. Whilst it wouldn’t be practical for our school to go that far, if mobile phone rules are breached, a more stringent approach to mobile phone usage would greatly benefit students. Mobile phones are highly distracting if not used wisely. The addictive nature of mobile phone use, coupled with too easy access to mobile phones during school hours make it detrimental for student wellbeing and learning.

Our youth is precious and fleeting. The days are far too precious to be spent on a mobile phone. Meaningful interactions at lunch and focused learning during school hours can be better enabled by putting aside the phones during school hours.