Cub Scout Cyber Chip Requirements p" width="150" height="150" />Cub Scout Cyber Chip Requirements p" width="150" height="150" />
Created by the BSA and Netsmartz, the Cyber Chip is a tool to help keep kids safe when they're online. Prior to the 2022-2023 program year, earning the Cyber Chip was a rank requirement.
The Cub Scout Cyber Chip is an important tool to help our kids stay safe online. I know that as parents of first through fifth graders, we may think that topics such as cyberbullying, online privacy, and social networks are a long way off for us.
But you may be surprised to learn that over 5 million Facebook users are kids under the age of 10 even though the age limit for an account is 13.
What about YouTube videos? There are lots of great videos that the kids love—especially the Minecraft ones, but without supervision, it’s easy for the Cub Scouts to be exposed to content that we don’t want them to watch.
And it’s estimated that 25% of kids have their own mobile phones in third grade with all of the issues that go along with a child and his mobile phone.
So how do we teach our kids internet safety principles? In partnership with NetSmartz®, the Boy Scouts of America developed the Cyber Chip program.
Even if your children aren't in Cub Scouts, you can still take advantage of NetSmartz's awesome programming.
Each Cub Scout Cyber Chip level covers topics such as cyberbullying, cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming and identity theft. To earn the Cyber Chip, Cub Scouts sign an Internet Safety Pledge, watch an age-appropriate online video and share what they’ve learned with their den or den leader. Older Scouts complete additional activities.
The link to Netsmartz goes to the general page, and there is lots of great information on there. But to more quickly find resources for the Cub Scouts to complete, go to the Netsmartz Kids page.
It’s never too early to begin talking about cyber safety with your Scouts. Have you had conversations with them about this important topic?
Yours in Scouting,
Sherry
