It is more important than ever to ensure the safety and well-being of young people. With the increases seen in cyberbullying, identity theft, online predators, and misinformation, students and families face many challenges to navigating the internet safely. Schools, libraries, and higher educational institutions have a critical role to play in educating communities about cyber safety and promoting responsible digital behavior. This comprehensive collection of resources is designed to empower teachers, parents, and students, particularly teens and college-aged youth, with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves online.
This curated guide includes recent and reputable materials from trusted organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions. It features practical tips, scholarly research, downloadable toolkits, engaging videos, insightful podcasts, and recommended reading focused on internet safety. From understanding online privacy and digital footprints to recognizing the signs of cyberbullying and scams, the content is designed to be accessible, age-appropriate, and relevant to what youth face online today.
Educators can use these materials in the classroom to start important conversations, while parents will find guidance on how to talk to their children and set digital boundaries. Students will discover tools that help them build positive online habits and stay safe while using social media, gaming, or researching for school. By working together to promote cyber safety, we can help create a more informed, empowered, and secure online environment for all.
As our digital lives expand, the importance of cybersecurity education grows more urgent and universal. The resources highlighted in this guide illustrate how foundational knowledge on topics like online privacy, digital boundaries, and safe internet practices can be made accessible and actionable for students, parents, and educators alike. However, combating the rising tide of cyber threats requires more than basic awareness; it demands a skilled and informed workforce trained through formal cybersecurity degrees. These academic pathways equip learners with the technical competencies, ethical frameworks, and real-world experience necessary to secure data, defend infrastructure, and anticipate emerging risks. As technology evolves, so too must our investment in cybersecurity education to safeguard individuals and communities alike.
Organizations
Cybersecurity for Students – NICCS (CISA)
Offers cybersecurity education resources and career pathways for high school and college students, aiming to build the next generation of cyber defenders.
Online Health and Safety for Children and Youth – SAMHSA
Provides resources to help keep children and teens safe online, including best practices for families and guidance for industry.
CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Program Student Resources
Offers age-appropriate materials to educate students on safe cyber behavior, including activity sheets and interactive programs.
FBI Safe Online Surfing (SOS) Program
An interactive program teaching students in grades 3–8 about online safety through games and activities.
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program – OJJDP
Supports law enforcement in preventing and investigating online child exploitation, offering training and resources for community education.
Know2Protect – Department of Homeland Security
A public awareness campaign providing educational materials to help children, teens, and parents stay safe online.
National Cybersecurity Alliance
Promotes cybersecurity awareness and education through initiatives like Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Data Privacy Day.
Provides cybersecurity education and training programs, including student alliances and cyber camps, to build a skilled workforce.
Focuses on building resilience against cyber threats through education, policy advocacy, and capacity building, especially in developing regions.
Works to raise awareness about internet safety issues, including online fraud and the dangers of illicit online content.
Resources
5 Key Internet Safety Tips for Students
Offers practical advice for students on protecting personal data, using VPNs, and avoiding common online threats while navigating academic and social platforms.
Internet Safety for Kids & Teens
Provides downloadable guides and checklists to help young users understand safe online practices, including tips on secure downloads and recognizing digital threats.
6 Internet Safety Tips for Students To Know
Highlights essential safety measures for students, such as using secure networks, maintaining privacy, and being cautious with online interactions and content sharing.
Internet Safety Tips for Teens
Offers guidelines from the Fort Dodge Police Department to help teens navigate the internet safely, emphasizing the importance of cautious online behavior
Internet Safety Posters for Teachers, Students, Schools, and Parents
Provides printable posters and resources aimed at educating students and parents about internet safety, digital citizenship, and responsible online behavior.
Email and Internet Safety for Students
Offers comprehensive guidelines for students on maintaining email and internet safety, including tips on password protection and recognizing phishing attempts.
Cyber Bullying Awareness: Activities, Posters and Task Cards for Teens
Provides educational materials to help teens understand, identify, and combat cyberbullying, promoting a safer online environment.
Compiles various tools and information to educate parents and students on internet safety, including strategies to prevent online exploitation and abuse.
Offers a checklist to help teens navigate social media safely, covering topics like privacy settings, recognizing online threats, and responsible sharing.
Internet Safety for Parents and Students
Provides resources and tips from Waterford Elementary to assist parents and students in understanding and practicing safe internet usage.
Articles
Youth Internet Safety: Risks, Responses, and Research Recommendations
This Brookings Institution article provides an overview of online risks faced by youth and offers research-based recommendations for enhancing internet safety measures.
Ending Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
UNICEF’s report outlines strategies to combat online child sexual exploitation, emphasizing the importance of education and policy in protecting young internet users.
Online Health and Safety for Children and Youth
SAMHSA’s resource offers best practices and tools for parents and caregivers to ensure children’s safe and healthy engagement with online platforms.
The Office of Justice Programs provides resources to help parents and educators understand and mitigate the online risks that children and teens may encounter.
Resources on Children’s Online Privacy
Youth.gov compiles federal resources, including COPPA guidelines, to inform about children’s online privacy rights and protections.
Safer Sex Intervention (SSI): Social Media, Texting, and Online Interactions
This resource discusses how digital communication influences youth perceptions of sex and sexuality, offering insights for educational interventions.
Highlights of the Youth Internet Safety Survey
This survey report presents data on the prevalence of online sexual solicitations and unwanted exposures among youth internet users.
KOHS Report: Online Health and Safety Resources
The Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force provides a compendium of resources aimed at promoting safe online environments for children and adolescents.
The Fragmentation of Online Child Safety Regulations
This article analyzes the varying state and federal regulations on online child safety, highlighting the need for cohesive policy approaches.
Brookings Institution offers strategies for preventing cyberbullying, emphasizing the role of education and parental involvement in fostering respectful online behavior.
Books
Cyber Safety Questions & Answers Book: Safety Grades 7-8 Extension
This book teaches about identity theft, online predators, cyberbullying, and more, providing essential information for students in grades 7-8 to navigate the internet safely.
A Guide to Internet Safety for Children, Teens & Young Adults
Offers practical advice for young internet users, covering topics like privacy, cyberbullying, and responsible online behavior to promote safe digital experiences.
Cyber Safety for Everyone – 2nd Edition
Provides comprehensive insights into online threats and safety measures, aiming to educate readers on maintaining security in the digital world.
Cyber Savvy: Embracing Digital Safety and Civility
Focuses on promoting respectful online interactions and understanding digital footprints, helping readers develop a thoughtful approach to internet use.
The Ultimate Guide to College Safety: How to Protect Your Child from Online & Offline Threats
Addresses safety concerns for college students, offering strategies to protect personal information and stay safe both online and on campus.
Cyberama: A Children’s Book on Internet Safety and Cybersecurity
An engaging story that introduces children to cybersecurity concepts, teaching them about online safety through an adventurous narrative.
A novel that explores the impact of cyberbullying on teenagers, highlighting the emotional challenges and consequences of online harassment.
The Teen’s Guide to Social Media… and Mobile Devices: 21 Tips to Wise Posting in an Insecure World
Provides teens with practical tips for responsible social media use, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful online communication.
Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids
A resource aimed at helping parents teach children about the dangers of inappropriate online content and how to respond safely.
Clicker the Cat: Online Children’s Book about Internet Safety Ages 6-8 Preschool
Aimed at young readers, this book introduces basic internet safety concepts through the story of a curious cat exploring the online world.
Podcasts
Explores critical issues of cyber safety and social media, providing insights into the challenges and solutions in our digital age.
Teaching Internet Safety to Children, Teens, and the Elderly | Cyber Work
Patrick Craven discusses strategies for teaching internet safety across age groups, emphasizing the importance of education in protecting online users.
Educates listeners on personal data care and cyber careers, highlighting pathways and skills essential for navigating the digital world safely.
Smart Social Podcast: Keeping Students Safe So They Can Shine Online
Provides tactical and practical tips for parents, educators, and students to navigate social media safely and build positive online reputations.
Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes
Offers insights and practical tips to help identify and prevent online risks that children face, including social media and gaming dangers.
Created by students at Dean College, this podcast addresses cyberbullying, sharing experiences and strategies to combat online harassment.
Discusses teenage challenges, including cyberbullying and online safety, offering advice from experts to help teens navigate digital issues.
Social Media Harms and Cyber Safety for Our Kids | HeartTalk
Explores the implications of social media on children's mental health and provides educational tips to minimize harm and set healthy boundaries.
Examines risks from digital device misuse, featuring expert interviews on cybersafety, cybersecurity, and privacy to educate listeners.
Addresses screen addiction and its impact on families, offering solutions to manage screen time and promote healthy digital habits.
Videos
Internet Safety for Kids | Twinkl USA
This video teaches children simple rules to ensure the internet remains a safe and healthy part of their lives.
Teaching Students Internet Safety
An engaging presentation designed for middle school students, covering essential internet safety practices in a fun and interactive way.
Cyber Safety Awareness Training (High School)
CareerSafe’s online course provides junior high students with education and awareness about cyber safety, emphasizing the importance of safe online behavior.
This video offers tips for practicing online safety, highlighting the importance of being cautious about sharing personal information and interacting with others online.
Cyber Security: Basic Internet Safety Tips
A comprehensive guide for Class 10 students, discussing fundamental internet safety tips and cyber security measures to protect personal information online.
Internet Safety for Kids – Episode 5: Don’t Talk to Internet Strangers
This episode emphasizes the dangers of communicating with strangers online and provides strategies for children to stay safe while using the internet.
Talking With Your Teens About Online Safety
A resource for parents, offering guidance on how to discuss digital safety with teenagers and address potential online risks effectively.
Staying Safe Online: A Guide to Internet Safety for Students
This video discusses internet safety and provides students with practical advice on how to protect themselves from cyber threats and identity theft.
A short video covering essential safety tips for children, including the importance of not sharing personal information and recognizing potential online hazards.
This video addresses the unique challenges teenagers face online and offers strategies to help them navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
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