What does it take for families to feel safe, connected, and confident in today’s digital world?
In early December, UBC Geering Up hosted Cyber Safety x Digital Families, a low-cost, community-focused event that welcomed 50 parents and students in grades 4-7. The event aimed to raise awareness about online threats and share practical strategies for building safer digital habits.
Students explored encryption and online safety through interactive activities, while parents joined round-table discussions with cybersecurity professionals. Speakers included (keynote speaker) Simran Kaur, Senior Security Assurance Engineer at Microsoft, Dr. Johanna Sam, citizen of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, Claire Hein-Salvi, MA student in Human Development, Learning and Culture, Scott Baker, Manager, Research Cybersecurity and Compliance team, and acting Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Larry Carson.
Experts shared insights with parents on critical topics such as:
- Deepfakes
- Positive modelling
- Cyber aggression and online hate
- Teen digital use and the CyberTeens study
- Cybersecurity hygiene and response to cyber-attacks
These conversations highlighted the rapid rise of AI-generated images, the importance of secure passwords, and the challenges of social media use among teens. To make learning actionable, a pledge wall invited parents to commit to concrete steps for creating safer digital homes. Parents walked away with actionable ideas like setting up separate guest Wi-Fi network and setting up password managers for their families.
Once reunited, families worked together to test their knowledge by spotting fake websites, building strong passwords, and identifying digital footprints.
For 30 years, UBC Geering Up has made STEAM learning fun, hands-on, and accessible to youth across British Columbia through weekly clubs and events in the Fall and Winter, and week-long camps during summer. This event carried that mission forward, creating space for parents and children to learn side by side about the realities and opportunities of our digital world.
Thank you to UBC Geering Up for bringing families and experts together to build a stronger, safer future for our community.
