Interview with Matteo Lana on Internet security

To celebrate World Internet Safety Day, promoted by the European Commission, our school organized a workshop entitled "Internet: child's play!!!" for the Preschool, 1A and 1B classes of the elementary school. The workshop is part of the Childhood-Primary continuity project. We invited Matteo Lana, a former Vittoria teacher and multimedia communication expert, with the aim of promoting safer, responsible and aware use of the web and new technologies. Matteo gave an informal talk on video games and Internet use, raising awareness among children about the importance of proper use.

Here is Dr. Lana's interview with the editors of Intervallo, our school's newsletter.  

Hi Matteo, what topics did you cover during the meeting at Junior?

We discussed cybersecurity in general, the importance of not sharing too much personal information and precautions to take on social networks such as Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok. We also talked about how to prevent private information from becoming public knowledge.

What are the most important online safety issues for teens?

It is critical to be aware of privacy and the protection of personal information. This information, if handled carelessly, can be exploited for fraud or data theft, or worse, can expose minors to greater risks.

How can we use the Internet in safety?

Digital safety education by families and schools is essential. Children must be taught to recognize risks and use common sense before acting online.

How do you recognize a safe site?

Always look to see if the site address starts with "https" and check for a padlock in the address bar, which indicates a legitimate digital certificate.

What about definitely getting to know a person online?

Before meeting someone, it is crucial to verify their identity, make a video call and always inform someone of your plans by meeting in public places.