Welcome to the Online Safety and Privacy module! Designed with beginners in mind, this course is ideal for individuals who are just starting out with computers and the Internet and are looking to understand and navigate the sometimes complex realms of online safety and privacy.
Online safety and privacy are essential elements of digital literacy. This course module aims to provide you with essential knowledge and skills necessary to protect yourself and your data online.
The key areas that will be covered in this module include: understanding social media and online friendships, identity theft, phishing, and hacking. Specifically, this module is designed to provide an understanding of:
By the end of this module, you should have a good grasp of online safety and privacy, and be equipped with the tools and knowledge required to protect yourself online. This knowledge will arm you to not only avoid becoming victims of these increasingly common cybercrimes but also make informed and responsible decisions about what you share and do online.
So let's dive in and start making your online experience a safer, more secure one!
The Online Safety and Privacy module can prove to be a vital life skill in today's digital world. It is more important than ever because we are increasingly depending on the internet for work, socializing, shopping, and more. We all remember the infamous Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal, don't we? 87 million Facebook users had their data harvested and used for political advertising. Can you imagine that happening to you? That's where this module steps in. It's designed to equip the complete beginner with knowledge to protect personal and financial details while surfing the web.
A major segment of the module revolves around Social Media and Online Friendships. These days, that's where we spend most of our online time. Did you know the average person spends almost 2.5 hours a day on social media? But here's a scary fact: Predators are using social media to manipulate children, with cases increasing by 36% in the UK in 2020 alone. This module will teach you how to identify warning signs and enforce the rules to ensure your online experience is safe and fun.
The module also focuses on more serious issues like identity theft, which is on the rise. The US Federal Trade Commission reported identity theft doubled in 2021, with most cases resulting from phishing events. You'll learn how to prevent yourself from becoming one of these statistics.
Hacking is also a significant part of this module. In 2020, cybercrime increased by 600% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You'll understand hacking, how it is commonly done, and the consequences. Moreover, you'll learn tips for staying safe, like using different passwords for different accounts and exercising caution with public Wi-Fi hotspots.
In a nutshell, this module isn't just about using computers safely, but it's also about securing your online presence and protecting yourself in the digital world. So, whether you're chatting with friends, shopping online, or working remotely, the Online Safety and Privacy module will make sure you are well-guarded and confident.
In today's accelerated digital age, technology invades our lives in ways that previous generations could hardly imagine. From our smartphones to our computers, we are constantly interconnected. But how do we view these developments from a Christian perspective? As a Reformed Theologian, I encourage us to delve deep and align our understanding of technology within the contours of the Reformed theology.
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans (Romans 1:20) noted, "For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made." By this biblical affirmation, technology - a man-made creation - reflects, to a certain level the divine attributes of God. We create because we are made in the image of the great Creator (Genesis 1:27).
Nevertheless, we must reflect on how our use of technology reflects our stewardship as Christians. Our Savior, Christ Jesus, left a clear message about stewardship in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). This includes our use and understanding of technology. In this course, we'll explore several important aspects of technology from a Christ-Centered perspective.
Social Media and Online Friendships
Social media platforms have drastically changed the way we relate with one another. Proverbs 27:17 teaches about the need for sharpening and building relationships; "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." We must extend this scripture principle to social media friendships by ensuring we are a positive influence on one another and that we prevent any form of harm.
Online safety and Identity Theft
Identity theft is a pervasive issue in this digital age. Scriptures are clear that stealing in any form is against God’s will (Exodus 20:15). Therefore, understanding how to prevent identity theft is crucial.
Understanding Phishing and Hacking
Scripture instructs us, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Similar to physical threats we take precautions against, Phishing and Hacking are digital threats we must be educated about to prevent our destruction. We must be vigilant in our online activities, utilizing different passwords, regular updates, and prudent use of public wifi to ensure our safety.
When Jesus commanded us to 'Love our neighbors as ourselves' in Matthew 22:39, could He have predicted our digital neighbors? Navigating the digital world with Christian love entails treating others with respect and kindness, avoiding gossip, and utilizing social media platforms for building each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). We must be mindful not just of what we communicate, but how we do so, ensuring our words are gracious and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6).
An important facet of reformed theology is the understanding that sin has tainted every aspect of life, including our technology usage. We can idolize technology, allow it to cause anxiety, or use it to harm others – all of which point to our sinful nature rather than the technology itself. Remember, while technology can be used for harmful purposes, it can also be used to glorify God and serve others, just as Paul used the technology of his time – letter writing and Roman roads – to spread the gospel (Romans 10:14-15).
Through this course module, it's my hope that we view technology as a tool given by the Creator, to use responsibly for His glory. Let's ultimately strive to bring Christ-Centered perspectives to every aspect of our lives, including our digital footprints. As we navigate through this world of computers and online interactions, let us always remember to be responsible digital stewards, reflecting the love and wisdom of Christ Jesus.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I greet you in the love and unity that we share in our Lord Jesus Christ. As we explore the realm of computing together, I implore us to consider the lens of Scripture through it all. The biblical narrative is said to flow from Creation to Fall, Redemption, and ultimately Restoration. To effectively serve God and fellow mankind in this digital era, we can lean on these biblical themes.
Let us start from Creation. In Genesis 1:28, God commanded us to subdue and fill the earth. No doubt, technology has expanded our ability to achieve this mandate in unprecedented ways. With the dramatic rise of computing, today over 59% of the population have access to the internet globally. What a tremendous opportunity we have to proclaim the gospel through these platforms!
However, as we well know, the Fall in Genesis 3 precipitated a misuse of our God-given capabilities. As revealed in our course module on online safety, identity theft, phishing, and hacking pose profound challenges in our digital interactions. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that cybercrime will cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021. This is a sobering reminder that the Fall's effects are vanishingly pervasive in our society. However, it should intensify our commitment to using technology responsibly and encouraging others to do so.
On a hopeful note, the theme of Redemption found throughout the New Testament empowers us to utilize technology with a renewed mindset. Christ has redeemed us, not only from sin, but its consequential misuse of creative innovations as well. He invites us to be "lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15), which certainly includes places within the digital realm. Such protective measures against cyber identity theft, phishing, and hacking that we learned in this module, underscores our role as stewards safeguarding God's people and His creation, even online.
Lastly, let's remember the promise of Restoration. Although we are currently living in a broken world marred by sin, we look forward to a time of complete restitution. This assures us that our efforts in promoting online safety and respect are not in vain but are contributing to God’s ultimate plan of restoring His creation.
As we finish this course module, may we commit all that we are learning to God, using it for His glory, in service to our fellow man. Let us remember our call to be wise digital citizens in an era where, as described in Proverbs 4:23, it is essential to "guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it," even online.
Let's utilize these technological tools as a means of global evangelization, ensuring the safety of ourselves and others online. Let us be diligent in this path, keeping in heart Paul's exhortation in Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
God bless you all in this stunning endeavor of learning computing under His divine grace and guidance.
In this module, we have explored the importance of responsible technology use and digital stewardship in our lives. We have learned how to apply scriptural truths to online safety, social interactions, and spreading the message of Christ in the digital age. By being mindful of our actions online and using technology in a way that aligns with our values, we can make a positive impact on ourselves and those around us. Let us strive to be good stewards of the digital world and use technology in a way that honors God and promotes love, kindness, and positivity.