The internet has completely revolutionized many facets of our modern existence. This is why events like Evergreen Junior High School’s annual Cybersecurity Fair are essential for teaching children and teenagers how to navigate the internet safely. The annual event was held on the morning of April 14, in Evergreen’s cafeteria.

Attendees were invited to partake in “a dynamic, cross curricular learning experience designed to engage students and the community in the importance of staying safe online” per the event’s press release.

In 2024, the American Psychological Association (APA) reported that the average U.S. teenager is spending almost five hours a day using social media applications. The most popular applications listed were TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. The APA also found that 37% of teenagers say their internet screentime exceeds five hours daily while 14% said they spend somewhere between four and five hours online each day.

The 60% of teenagers who log excessive daily screen time, also reported low parental monitoring and weak parental relationships. Of those teenagers who engaged in excessive screentime, 22% of them also categorized their relationships with their parents as “poor” with many expressing thoughts of suicide and self-harm.

The internet can be dangerous for individuals in any age group, especially children who are, by nature, easily influenced by what they see online. To help combat the internet’s astronomical influence on its students, Evergreen has integrated internet safety curriculum into many of its courses, specifically, in college and career awareness courses.

“As part of this hands-on project, students are applying their knowledge by creating interactive displays and booths focused on digital safety topics. These include VPNs, social media safety, hackers, viruses, malware, ransomware and more,” the press release further stated.

The internet has always posed a level of inherent risk; however, as technology continues to become more sophisticated so do the threats associated with it. Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly more targeted, scams are becoming more convincing, and personal data is more accessible than ever before. For many Gen Z and Gen Alpha students raised with constant access to the digital world, the distinction between safe and unsafe online is not always evident.

Evergreen’s Cybersecurity Fair helped spark a necessary dialogue about online safety, bringing students and community members of all ages together to achieve an important goal—education. 

“This event is a powerful example of students extending their learning beyond the classroom and making a meaningful impact in their community,” said event organizers.