Some kind can do the laundry. From becoming a Cyber Agent!
Kids are online early on. That also means that they get to grips with online security from an early age. HackShield is a game that makes children aware of the dangers on the internet in a fun way. And what you can do to outsmart cybercriminals. In addition to the version for school, HackShield in the Classroom, and a version for adults, there is now also a version especially for libraries: HackShield in the Library. This new version was released on Tuesday 9 November.
In the counter online game HackShield, the players take on cyber criminals as ‘Junior Cyber Agents’. Along the way they learn everything about (in)secure passwords, fake news, hacking, phishing, data leaks and safe internet use. Amsterdam has more than 1,000 of these heroes. The latest adventure, Hackshield in de Bieb, focuses on fake news. The game is suitable for children aged 8 to 12 years.
Launch
3 school classes were invited to the OBA on Oosterdok to play the latest. One of the little Cyber Agents going up against the bad guys in the game is ‘Roosy’. Roosy (player name) is 11 years old and is in group 8 of the Public Primary School Nienekes in Cuijk. Hackshield has no more secrets for her. “During the lockdown we said to take an exercise at the game. I like it a lot. This week I’m giving my talk on HackShield and we started HackShield in the classroom yesterday.”
With grandpa and grandma
There are now about 61,000 players in the Netherlands. A very proud mother tells that Roosy is number 3 in the ranking. And it’s not only fun, she learns a lot from it. Roosy: “For example, I now know better how to create a strong password and how to use verification codes. How to recognize phishing emails. That you should always check where it comes from and who the sender is. And I play the adult version with my grandma and grandpa. I then take them to the game door as a Junior Cyber Agent. That is very pleasant and I can teach them to make the internet and the environment safer.”
Also for adults
Cyber criminals don’t age. Everyone would do well to immerse themselves in the world of digital security. HackShield for adults is then a good way to gain knowledge and thus become resilient online. Also useful if you want to talk to your children. It doesn’t cost any money, just a little effort.
cooperation
HackShield in the Library has been specially designed for libraries by the municipality of Amsterdam, the OBA and library organization Probiblio. The assignments in the game are as close as possible to the subject matter of primary school. Amsterdam also supports this initiative from the Digital Security Agenda, which aims to increase the digital resilience of Amsterdammers and especially young people.