In our fast-paced digital world, diving headfirst into technology without a solid understanding can leave us vulnerable to exploitation by hackers, scammers, and fraudsters. The digital footprints we create—like email and social media accounts created in adolescence—can follow us for a lifetime, potentially exposing us to unforeseen risks if started without a strong foundation and strategy.

While technology offers powerful tools, it also tempts feeding the attention-driven algorithms. In this program, we will explore common but avoidable mistakes that both students and adults make daily, which can lead to major challenges down the road. Through a balanced approach, we will discuss how to safeguard privacy, manage data, and prevent exploitation, while also emphasizing the importance of stepping away from screens to maintain overall well-being, such as improving sleeping habits and keeping the phone off to maximize personal achievement, both online and offline.

Managing Online Accounts

• Limiting access: Restrict access to your online accounts by regularly reviewing permissions, especially for third-party apps and services.

• Organizing accounts: Keep track of all your online accounts with organizational strategies.

• Handling passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Consider using a password manager to store and generate complex passwords. Avoid reusing the same password across multiple sites to minimize risk in case of a data breach.

Privacy & Security

• Disposing of old devices: Properly wipe all personal data from devices before disposing of them. This includes phones, laptops, tablets, and even external storage devices.

• Protecting personal data: Take steps to prevent data leaks from stolen devices and unsafe usage. Don’t rely solely on built-in default security, as it may not protect against every potential challenge.

• Locking down devices: Secure your devices with strong passwords or biometric authentication (fingerprints, face ID).

Sleep

• Understanding reasons why students give up sleep: Many students sacrifice sleep due to academic pressures, social engagements, or excessive screen time. Late-night studying, binge-watching shows, and social media can disrupt sleep schedules.

• What research says: Studies show that inadequate sleep negatively impacts cognitive function, mood, and academic performance. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to long-term health problems, and mental health challenges.

• Motivating reasons to improve sleep: Improving sleep enhances memory retention, concentration, and emotional regulation, which leads to better academic performance and overall well-being. Getting sufficient rest also boosts energy levels, making it easier to manage stress and stay productive throughout the day.

Live HD Broadcast includes Q&A