The threats to children in this digitally driven age, from cyber bullies to online predators, are real. To help prepare young people to safely navigate the world of cyberspace, now and in the future, the FBI runs an online program called the FBI Safe Online Surfing (FBI-SOS) Internet Challenge.
The program teaches students in grades three through eight all about cyber safety and digital citizenship using a series of fun, interactive lessons. The program includes timed exams and a monthly national competition for registered schools.
More than one million students around the country have now taken the exam and completed the program. ThTopics covered in FBI-SOS include cell phone safety, privacy, online predators, social networking and gaming safety, and cyberbullying. There is also a version of the site in Spanish.e first school year, about 25,000 students took the test; just four years later, that number jumped to nearly a half-million.
Teachers invited nationwide to sign up. Registration is quick and easy, with approval in 24 hours or less. Approved teachers are given access to a secure system that enables them to set up classes, create anonymous test keys for their students, and obtain their exam scores. E-mail customer service is also provided.
The website is open to the public year-round. So even if their children’s school does not take part, parents can still guide their kids through the online activities, minus the exam.
Teachers and students have responded positively to FBI-SOS, and the Bureau plans to continue improving the program and encouraging more students to join.
Visit the website today at sos.fbi.gov.