Cybersecurity awareness should start in schools because children are becoming active internet users at a younger age than ever before, and they need the fundamental skills to navigate the digital world safely, just as they are taught to navigate the physical world.
As of August 30, 2025, for children here in Rawalpindi and across Pakistan, the line between their online and offline lives is virtually non-existent. They socialize, learn, and play in digital environments. Making cybersecurity a core part of their education is not a technical luxury; it is a fundamental requirement for their personal safety, mental well-being, and future success.
1. Children Are Online Earlier Than Ever
The modern child is a “digital native.” They are growing up with smartphones and tablets as a constant presence. While they may be adept at using the technology, they often lack the critical thinking skills to understand the inherent risks.
- The Reality: Children are being exposed to the internet—through YouTube, mobile games, and educational apps—long before they receive any formal education on how to use it safely. They are often unaware of the permanence of their “digital footprint” or the dangers of sharing personal information online.
- Why School is Essential: Just as we teach children to look both ways before crossing the street, we must teach them the basic rules of online safety. Schools provide the structured, age-appropriate environment to instill these foundational lessons before bad habits are formed.
2. To Combat Modern Threats Like Cyberbullying and Scams
The playground of the 21st century is digital, and so are its dangers. Schools are the frontline in the battle against threats that directly impact a child’s well-being.
- Cyberbullying: This is one of the most direct and damaging threats to a child’s mental health. Unlike physical bullying, cyberbullying can be relentless, following a child into their home 24/7. School-based programs can teach children about empathy, responsible online communication, and, crucially, what to do and who to tell if they are being bullied or see it happening to others.
- Online Predators and Scams: Children are inherently trusting and can be easily manipulated. They are prime targets for online predators who may try to groom them, and for phishing scams designed to trick them into revealing their parents’ personal or financial information. Education in schools can arm them with the healthy skepticism needed to recognize and report these dangers.
3. To Build Lifelong ‘Digital Hygiene’ Habits
Good cybersecurity is a set of habits. By introducing these habits at a young age, they become second nature, much like brushing your teeth or washing your hands.
- The Core Habits: School is the perfect place to teach the fundamentals of “digital hygiene,” including:
- Password Security: The importance of creating strong passwords and not sharing them with friends.
- Privacy Settings: How to use the privacy settings on their favorite social media apps and games to control who can see their information.
- Recognizing Misinformation: In an age of “fake news,” teaching children from a young age how to critically evaluate the information they see online is an essential life skill.
4. To Create a Secure Future Workforce
The global shortage of cybersecurity professionals is a critical economic and national security issue. The long-term solution to this problem begins in the classroom.
- Sparking an Early Interest: By introducing the concepts of cybersecurity and ethical hacking in schools, we can spark an interest in the field among young students, encouraging them to pursue it as a career.
- A Secure Workforce for Pakistan: For a country like Pakistan, which has a thriving freelance and tech industry, building a large, homegrown pool of cybersecurity talent is essential for our future economic growth and national security. This talent pipeline starts with early education.
