Essential Tips for Staying Safe Online This Holiday Season

Essential Tips for Staying Safe Online This Holiday Season

The holiday season is filled with joy and opportunities to shop online, connect with others, and celebrate. However, this festive time also brings an increased risk of online scams, making it crucial to teach teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental differences how to navigate the internet safely. With the right guidance, therapists, job coaches, and program staff can empower them to stay secure while enjoying the holiday season.

Online Shopping Safety

Online shopping is exciting during the holidays, but scammers often target eager shoppers with fake websites, unrealistic deals, and phishing scams. Teaching practical shopping safety can protect young adults while building their confidence online.

Start by teaching students to check for “https” and a padlock icon in the website address to verify its security. This can be related to identifying a legitimate store sign in the real world to make it easier to understand. It’s also important to help them recognize that unrealistic deals, like a new iPhone for $50, are likely scams and should be avoided. You can explain the value of reading reviews by comparing it to asking friends for recommendations before trying something new, as this helps them verify a product or website’s legitimacy. Finally, remind students that asking for help when unsure about an online purchase is not a sign of weakness but a smart step. Reassure them that even adults often double-check before making online purchases.

Social Media Safety

Social media can be a fun way to connect during the holidays, but it also presents risks like phishing scams and oversharing personal information. Equip students with the tools to enjoy social media responsibly.

Teach students to avoid clicking on links from unknown sources that offer deals or prizes, explaining that it’s similar to avoiding a stranger offering gifts in person. Discuss the risks of sharing details like home addresses or travel plans, and emphasize the importance of keeping private conversations offline. Encourage students to accept friend requests only from people they know in real life, comparing this to inviting only trusted individuals into their home. Finally, show them how to recognize and report suspicious accounts, emphasizing that this proactive step helps keep everyone safe online.

Email Safety

Phishing scams often appear as fake holiday promotions or prize announcements in email inboxes. Teaching students to recognize and avoid these scams is essential for protecting their personal information.

Help students identify phishing emails by showing them how to spot red flags such as spelling errors, strange email addresses, or an urgent tone. Relate this to recognizing a suspicious letter in the mail. Explain that legitimate companies don’t send surprise prizes or ask for sensitive information, using examples of street scams to make this concept relatable. Teach students to hover over email links to check if they start with “https,” explaining that this is like a locked door protecting a house. Lastly, demonstrate how email filters can block suspicious messages, comparing this to sorting through physical mail and discarding junk.

Financial Information Safety

Shopping online is convenient, but protecting financial information is critical. Teach students how to handle online transactions safely and securely. Remind students to use secure payment methods, such as credit or debit cards, for online purchases, explaining that these methods offer better protection. You can compare this to using a secure wallet for added safety.

Teach them how account alerts can notify users of unusual activity, comparing this to a trusted friend warning them about unusual spending. Remind students never to share sensitive information like passwords or PINs, likening this to keeping house keys safe from strangers. Remind them to create strong, unique passwords for their accounts, explaining that a strong password is like a sturdy lock protecting their online accounts.

Helping Students Stay Safe and Empowered

The holidays should be a time of joy and connection, not stress over online safety. By teaching these functional life skills, therapists and program staff can empower teens and young adults with special needs to navigate the online world confidently. Each skill, from identifying phishing scams to protecting financial information, builds independence and fosters security. Let’s make this holiday season safe and empowering, equipping young adults with the tools they need for secure and enjoyable online interactions.

Explore Adulting on the Spectrum Blog for actionable advice, resources, and compassionate insights designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities in special education. Whether you support adults, high school, or middle school students with special needs, our resources are here to empower you. We celebrate the remarkable potential of every individual and stand alongside you in fostering independence, self-advocacy, and meaningful progress for individuals with autism.

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Phyllis Johnson

Secretary at Broward County Public Schools

19 小时前

I remember you and your daughter from Nova High School. How have you all been? I love what you have going on in regards to your daughter. Keep up the great work. I will tell Mrs. McKinley who’s now married. Lol,

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