In collaboration with Blue Mountain Networks, over the next 12 issues we’ll share easy-to-follow articles and content with tips about protecting passwords, spotting cyberbullying, and creating healthy digital habits for Vernonia’s Voice readership. We aim to make online safety feel less complicated and more like everyday common sense – something families can talk about together at the dinner table. Our goal is simple: to help Vernonia neighbors of all ages feel more confident, secure, and enabled online.

When Password Security Meets Online Behavior – At home, where many of us know each other by name and wave at each other in the grocery store, it’s easy to forget that our online lives need the same care as our real-world connections. Think about it –we wouldn’t leave our front doors unlocked, and we teach our kids not to talk to strangers. The same goes for our digital lives. When your child’s password is something simple like “password123” or when they overshare on social media, they’re basically leaving the digital door wide open. And unfortunately, online bullies are just waiting for those open doors. As neighbors, we need to protect our kids online the same way we look out for them when they’re playing in the park or riding bikes around the neighborhood. This connection between secure passwords and safe online behavior is the first step in protecting what matters most – our children and their well-being in the digital world they navigate every day.

Why This Matters for Your Family:

• Cyberbullying affects nearly 60% of teens, according to recent research

• Many children don’t tell parents when they’re being harassed online

• Digital citizenship skills protect both personal information and emotional wellbeing

Recognizing the Warning Signs – Much like unusual activity on your accounts signals a possible security breach, changes in your child’s behavior may indicate they’re experiencing cyberbullying. Watch for:

• Quickly switching screens or hiding their phone when you approach

• Unexpected emotional responses (anger, tears, fear) after using devices

• Declining interest in activities they previously enjoyed

• Changes in sleep patterns or appetite

• Avoiding school or social gatherings

Your child might not volunteer information about cyberbullying for fear of losing device privileges or making the situation worse. Similar to how we must actively check for security vulnerabilities on our devices, parents need to regularly check in about online experiences.

Building Strong “Password Protection” for Social Interactions – Just as we create unique passwords for different accounts, families need to establish clear guidelines for different online spaces:

1. Create a Family Digital Contract:  Discuss what information should remain private (passwords, personal details) and what constitutes respectful communication.

2. Practice Digital Empathy:  Encourage them to consider how their words might be interpreted before posting.

3. Establish Trust Through Transparency: Rather than secretly monitoring, create an environment where screens are used in common areas and conversations about online activities happen regularly.

4. Teach Response Strategies: Help your children understand when to disengage (don’t respond to provocative messages), when to block users, when to save evidence (screenshots), and when to report harassment.

5. Demonstrate Good “Password Management”: Just as we don’t share passwords, teach children that private conversations or photos shared by friends shouldn’t be forwarded without permission.

Simple Tips for Busy Families – Set aside 15 minutes weekly for a “digital check-in” where everyone can share interesting online discoveries and also mention any concerning interactions.  Children often stay silent about harassment because they fear parents will take away their technology as a protective measure.

When to Seek Help – Just as persistent security alerts require expert intervention, ongoing cyberbullying situations may need additional support. Contact your child’s school, the platform where the bullying occurs, and in serious cases, local authorities.

Here at Blue Mountain, we believe that state-of-the-art and affordable fiber internet and phone service should be accessible to absolutely everyone. In our increasingly modern world, the importance of reliable and dependable fiber internet connections and advanced phone services are a vital necessity in the daily lives of our communities.

Our mission is to provide reliable and advanced digital services for residents and businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest, specifically focusing on providing high-quality phone and ultra-fast fiber internet services to underserved rural communities.

This content is created in part with resources from Women in CyberSecurity. Their mission is to recruit, retain and advance women in cybersecurity to build a robust cybersecurity workforce. For more information go to www.wicys.org and https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/secure-yourself-your-family.