Dr. Phyllis Schneck, Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity, National Protection and Programs Directorate
Flat Amber visits DHS’s National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, a 24-hour cyber situational awareness, incident response, and management center.
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Stop.Think.Connect. campaign is joining the Flat Stanley Project to help kids learn about the importance of cybersecurity. By downloading and using the Flat Stanley App, kids will be able to create their own “Flat Stanley” or “Flat Stella” character and send it on a tour of the Internet to learn about staying safe online and helping spread the word about cybersecurity.
The Flat Stanley App can be useful for kids, parents and teachers to start a discussion about online safety, particularly during the holiday break from school when many children will be using computers, tablets or smart phones.
With kids spending more time than ever before on the Internet and social media, the partnership with the Flat Stanley Project allows DHS to further its efforts to raise cybersecurity awareness among young Americans.
Here are a few simple tips for kids will find on the app to help them remember to stay safe online:
- Be careful about what information you share online and always ask an adult first
- Don’t talk to strangers online and never agree to meet in person. Tell a parent or another adult you trust if a stranger contacts you in a chat room or through email or text message
- Avoid sharing your passwords with anyone other than your parents
- Don’t open emails or download attachments from strangers
- Keep your personal information private; if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is
- Treat others online like you want to be treated
For more information about how to access the Flat Stanly App visit www.flatstanley.com. To learn about what DHS is doing to keep kids safe online and for other cybersecurity tips, please visit www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect.