ABOUT THIS EPISODE
When was the last time you explained to grandparents why broadcasting your kids' photos to their friends is risky?
Patricia Cangas talks with cybersecurity professionals Kae David and Chad Rychlewski, co-authors of Cyber Smart Parenting. Kae works with tech enterprises and has over 10 years in cybersecurity, while Chad has spent 16 years protecting public sector institutions including K-20 schools where his own children attend. They break down complex security concepts into everyday language parents can use. What should you know about digital footprints before your child gets their first device? Both experts stress that open communication matters far more than perfect technical controls.
In This Episode:
- (00:00) Cybersecurity experts introduce their backgrounds working with enterprises and schools
- (03:28) Why most cybersecurity books are too complex for busy parents
- (06:00) The major risks parents overlook when posting photos online
- (10:33) Parents spend only 46 minutes talking about cybersecurity from birth to age 18
- (14:18) The digital footprint lesson every sixth grader needs to know
- (19:57) What to do when kids see inappropriate content online
- (22:43) Kids will bypass parental controls without open communication
- (25:13) Where to find the book and downloadable family tech contract
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About the Show
Patricia Cangas Rumeu, a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, hosts Pixel Parenting - where she empowers busy parents to navigate their kids' tech use with confidence and science-based insights. This bi-weekly podcast cuts through digital parenting confusion by exploring everything from screen time strategies to educational apps with expert guests and practical tools. Patricia combines her background as both a mother and technology educator to help families build healthy digital habits that work for real life, creating a community where parents can learn what being "tech-savvy" really means for kids today.
Resources:
cybersecurityparents.com - Main website for Cyber Smart Parenting book, includes blog posts about current cybersecurity topics, downloadable resources, and tech updates beyond what's in the book
info@cybersecurityparents.com - Contact email for questions, school presentations, or PTA/PTO speaking requests
Page 77 of Cyber Smart Parenting - Contains a tear-out mad lib-style family tech contract to complete with your child (sets rules for screen time, device locations, and online behavior through collaborative conversation)
Halloween-themed cybersecurity games - Word searches and activities mentioned as available on cybersecurityparents.com, now adapted for year-round use (helps teach password protection, phishing awareness, and stranger danger online)
Credit freezing for children - Process takes approximately 3-4 hours per child to protect against identity theft
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