Kids Ought To Be Smarter!

We just had another meeting with the new officers (yours truly is the new Business Manager) of CSS Outreach Committee and after reviewing our plans and action items, I just realized that I haven’t posted my thoughts and experiences about the conducted ISKF (Internet Safety for Kids and Families) seminar in FEU-FERN last September 17.

We’ll be conducting another one this November so before that event takes place, let me share what happened the last time. I won’t be exerting much effort today since this is long overdue. I just grabbed what I have written for our e-magazine. It has been published anyway so this won’t be a total spoiler. You can either click the attached image here or read the original article I’ve written below:

How can you make the kids smart surfers? Of course educating them can do the trick but there’s a better way on how you can make learning more effective – group discussions. That’s what the CSS Outreach Committee did when they visited FEU-FERN and conducted the Internet Safety for Kids and Families seminar.

Being with the vibrant kids made us feel younger and witnessing their enthusiasm helped us go further in teaching them how to stay safe online.

Michelle Lao, inspired by heart-warming introduction of one of the Barangayette Officers, started her opening remarks excitedly by asking how many of the kids have Facebook accounts and everyone raised their hands! These students were composed of the Grade IV- Grade VI classes, a total of 140 head count. For better understanding, she used a simple analogy to explain Trend Micro’s role in ensuring safety in the exchange of digital information. She compared it to the teachers who ensure student’s safety within school premises. This served as good head start for the kids as they moved on to the first lecture – general online safety.

Edrian Montealegre of Trend Micro CSS Premium Service discussed the many uses of internet along with the threats that go with it. He highlighted how social media can be exploited by hackers and other malware. The kids were taught how to be a smart surfer by respecting others, staying secure and trusting no one. It was made clear to them that they are what they post online.

The kids were lively all through out the discussion especially that there are random prizes to attentive participants such as Trend Micro Internet Security, ball pens, cellphone holders and of course, chocolates!

Mark Stephen Eustaquio, another Technical Support Engineer who provides premium service to Trend Micro clients enlightened the kids about cyber bullying. It’s so nice to know that the kids can relate to the kinds of cyberbullies namely vengeful Angel, show off bullies, mean girls and inadvertent cyberbully. He also shared videos of true-to-life bullying and online bullying. It helped the children clearly recognize the difference between real-life friends and online friends. We’ve seen few finger-pointing scenes all through out the discussion, it’s either they’re pointing someone who’s a bully or someone who has been bullied. What’s important is we have increased the children’s awareness about reality and how to act accordingly. When the speaker asked if it’s CLARO, the kids enthusiastically answered him in unison: RECTO!

Interactive Q and A portion followed after these two presentations. Michelle Lao shared her insights when one of the students asked if there are good viruses. She mentioned love virus as one of them, which is created with good intention and became annoying later on.

And just like any other famous kid’s show, it won’t be complete without games! Helen Vicente led the balloon games. The participants were divided into four groups according to balloon colors – green, white, yellow and red. The kids actively tapped their balloons and did their best to avoid them from touching the floor. Yellow Team won this game and each participant get a Trend Micro notebook! Mary Anne Beloy and the Barangayette Officers helped the Outreach Committee in facilitating this event.

Aside from the upcoming Internet Safety for Kids and Families seminar either in JIL-Bulacan or PUP, I’ll be part of the Gawad Kalinga Home Building Project in Batangas, too! Yay, I’m so excited!