FYI we found a great site that is really helping parents and teens both learn about and be more safe online and creating awareness for all of us to be more pro-active! It is time for a Teen Check Up… So what it is you would like to see as a result of National Cyber Security Awareness Month?

National, that’s a good idea, lets involve every State. Unfortunately, I’ve lived long enough to see how events are sensationalized and then peter out for the next big Awareness newsworthy event, whether we want it or not; the flavor of the month.

Cyber… I like that word. It’s such a universal word. Think of any word, now mix it up with Cyber and presto you’ve got yourself a new concept. Cyber is really “far-out”.

So far, we’ve announced that every State should be Aware for next 31 days about Security. Security is not a new word, we all have a pretty good feeling of what security means to each of us. You like feeling secure? So, what would it feel like knowing you weren’t secure, how would that feel?

What would make a child feel insecure in their home? What about abusive behavior acted out towards them? What would make the mother feel insecure in her home? The aggressive behavior of an individual trying to break in to harm her or her child would certainly make her feel insecure?

How about an adolescents or teens that are faced everyday at school by aggressive behavior from his or her peers? I would imagine these kids would feel insecure. What would allow them to feel secure? How about behavioral change of the aggressive teens?

I realize that we deal with a lot of new technologies and they’re fascinating and I’m one of their biggest fans. The Internet is not some obscure place in space. It is a unique tool and an integrated part of our everyday lives. Just as the automobile was unique when it first appeared, today it is common, even with its advanced technologies.

Interesting though, I find it hard to imagine “road rage” as a behavior of the early drivers. I feel the excitement of those early drivers similar to the excitement of the early users of the first home computers. There was no concern for security issues, especially not from nefarious individuals purposely out to cause harm. However, inappropriate behavior behind the wheel or behind the keyboard is a systematic problem in both venues.

It’s time to join “Cyber” with “Security” and presto “Cyber Security” and my question is what should we be focusing on, cyber security or the behavioral change of those on the Internet?

We the common people are the majority and the backbone of the Internet. So, instead of being reactive chasing the cybercriminals, organized crime, predators, pedophiles, who are consistently a step-and-a-half ahead of us, why not be proactive starting with our children and empower them and the majority with what is considered proper behavior; civility. Things like courteously, ethics, being kind, and understanding what it means to be a “Responsible CyberCitizen” and anonymity isn’t permission to be uncivil.

Good behavior coupled with good security technology, as we develop Responsible CyberCitizens, will not only allow for a healthy Internet, but a healthy community.

Every State should have a community of Responsible CyberCitizens advocating acceptable behavior and standards for our children to follow.