As part of a new qualification considered as the first of its kind in the world, students from the age of twelve will be educated about the online crime. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), with Strathclyde Police (child protection agencies) and Microsoft, from the start of next term, has decided to offer an Intermediate 1 course on internet safety to secondary students at many pilot schools, which will impart the students education about the dangers of grooming and cybercrime, besides protecting themselves against identity theft and viruses. The course will also be bringing into light issues like the use of firewalls, spyware spam, hacking and copyright. The unit will provide a mixture of theory and practice and will offer students the chance to discuss online dangers and also practice ways of reducing them.





The qualification was developed after a survey of 550 teachers and college lecturers earlier this year, wherein it was discovered that the vast majority was worried about the student safety. The survey also discovered 95 percent of respondents were worried about internet safety, while 91 percent were found to be worried about the use or downloading of inapt material by students. Over 85 percent were afraid of students developing unsuitable friendships online and the usage of chat rooms whereas the major concern was regarding the personal details, which was being given online. About 40 percent were in favor of offering an SQA course on the subject, whilst over 80 percent were in favor of using the teaching materials whether they did not provide a qualification.



The forthcoming course is expected to benefit parents, teachers, librarians, other professionals who make use of the internet as well as pensioners. However, on the part of the users are expected to follow the given below five steps to stay safe:







(1) Install appropriate software to prevent the spread of viruses and do not open suspect emails.

(2) Don’t give personal details such as e-mails or mobile numbers to internet chat rooms.

(3) Don’t pass on credit card details to any sites that you are unsure of.

(4) Use legal websites to download music or other files to ensure you do not breach copyright.

(5) Install firewalls to stop others accessing your computer when your are online.



Read