October is cyber awareness month!

ALCDSB educators have been provided with resources such as in-class exercises, lesson plans, Kahoot games and discussion prompting videos for each week of the month.  

Each theme, outlined below, provides resource kit that is specifically designed for elementary students “Cyber Heroes Unite” or secondary students “Digital Me”.  

Through fun activities, real-life examples, and easy tips, students will learn how to protect their info, spot red flags, and make smart choices on the internet.  
 
The goal? To make online safety second nature, in October and all year long! 

Week One 
Theme: Cyber Security Basics  

Emphasize the importance of protecting personal information online by maintaining privacy, creating strong passwords, understanding the risks of oversharing on social media, and knowing steps to take if compromised. Content explored this week also covers recognizing and avoiding online scams and phishing by identifying suspicious communications, knowing how to respond to phishing attempts, and the importance of reporting scams 

Week One: Cyber Security Basics - Elementary Resources 
Week One Secondary Resources – Secondary Resources 

Week Two  
Theme: Artificial Intelligence (AI)  

Artificial Intelligence focuses on understanding how AI is used in everyday digital tools such as voice assistants, recommendation systems, and chatbots. During week two, students learn how AI gathers and uses data, why it’s important to think critically about AI-generated content, and how to use AI tools responsibly. This theme also explores the benefits and risks of AI, including issues around accuracy, bias, and privacy, to help students make informed choices. AI is a useful and interesting tool in education, and it’s important that users understand its implications and limits.  

Week Two: Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Elementary Resources 
Week Two: Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Secondary Resources 

Week Three 
Theme: Digital Wellness  

Digital Wellness highlights the importance of balancing screen time with offline life to support mental health and well-being. It encourages students to recognize signs of digital overload, take regular tech breaks, and build healthy online habits. This theme also explores how digital activities can affect emotions, sleep, focus, and self-esteem, and provides strategies for using technology in ways that feel positive, mindful, and manageable.  

Week Three: Digital Wellness – Elementary Resources 
Week Three: Digital Wellness – Secondary Resources 

Week Four 
ThemeSocial Media, Gaming, and Online Community 

Social Media and Gaming, and Online Community explores how students interact with others through platforms like social media, messaging apps, and online games. It emphasizes respectful digital communication, recognizing and responding to cyberbullying, and the importance of kindness and consent online. Students also learn about digital citizenship, the risks of sharing personal information, and how to build safe, inclusive, and supportive online spaces.  

Week Four: Social Media, Gaming, and Online Community – Elementary Resources 
Week Four: Social Media, Gaming, and Online Community – Secondary Resources 

Year-round Resources 

By adopting safe and secure practices you are not only protecting yourself but also reducing the likelihood of cyber-attacks against all members of our Catholic learning communities. Collectively, we can make our online and virtual lives safer for everyone by developing and maintaining personal safe online habits. 

Year-round K-12 Cyber Awareness Resources 
 
Posting to social media?  
Tag the Board! 

Instagram: @algonquin_lakeshore  
Facebook: @Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School  

Use the following hashtags: 
#CyberAwareON  
#DigitalMe (Secondary Students) 
#CyberHeroes (Elementary Students) 

Published