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Google visits Canfield Village Middle School
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Google Team put on a password showdown between U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson (left) and a Canfield Village Middle School student to see who could come up with the strongest password during the Ohio Google Online Safety Roadshow on Sept. 14.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Village Middle School students played a true or false game on internet safety during the Ohio Google Online Safety Roadshow on Sept. 14.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson addressed students at Canfield Village Middle School during the Ohio Google Online Safety Roadshow on Sept. 14.
By ABBY SLANKER
The first stop of the Ohio Google Online Safety Roadshow was at Canfield Village Middle School on Sept. 14. The Google Online Safety Roadshow is an initiative developed to promote internet safety to help reduce the number of ‘empty threats’ made by students and teach them how to create the best version of themselves online.
CVMS students crowded into the gym and were welcomed by U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson. Congressman Johnson then introduced the Google team of Joe and Nicole, who started things off with a true or false internet safety game for the students.
The Google team then shared five safety tips the students could follow to make the internet a great place for them.
Tip one was ‘Think before you share.’ The students were reminded that anything they post can be seen by anyone on the internet, including parents and future employers. Their posts can be forwarded, copied and found - by anyone.
“What you share can take on a life of its own,” said Google Team Member Joe.
Tip two was ‘Protect your stuff.’ The Google team focused on the strength of passwords and conveyed the importance of having a strong password. They told the students their passwords should have eight or more characters, be a mix of letters, numbers and symbols and should be different for each site they visit.
The Google team then had a password showdown between Congressman Johnson and two students to see who could come up with the strongest password.
“Do not share your passwords with friends. There are lots of things to share with your friends, but your passwords are not one of them,” said Google Team Member Nicole.
Tip three was ‘Know and use your settings.’ The students were encouraged to know the settings for each site they visit and to make sure they are correct.
Tip four was ‘Avoid scams.’ The Google team told the students to be suspicious and to be careful and aware that scams are out there. Phishing was explained as trying to get personal information online through the use of scams and students were encouraged to not respond to any post or e-mail which requests personal information.
“If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Nicole said.
Tip five was ‘Be positive.’ Students were reminded that being positive is infectious and if they are positive online, it will encourage others to be also be positive. Students were also encouraged to report cruel and offensive posts they might come across online and were encouraged to be aware of reporting tools.
“I would like to challenge each and every one of you to post at least one positive message today,” Nicole said.
The Google team closed their program with a short video of teens, who in the past, have shaped technology.
“Here is a short video showing teens shaping technology and we hope that you, too, can help shape technology,” Joe said.
Congressman Johnson had a few parting words for the students.
“What you do today can change tomorrow. It is your turn to change the world. Be smart, be responsible and remember to protect yourselves,” Congressman Johnson said.