Before Bitcoin education, teach your children cyber security education.

[aoluain]

It's actually amazing that children as young as 10 could in fact learn the basics of digital and cyber security without directly teaching them. Their high level of direct exposure to the digital world teaches them that. They have computer subjects at school. They use advanced technologies every hour of the day. Their Roblox experience, for example, could teach them hacking and theft 101. Moreover, their vast Facebook experience could make them very much aware of dummy accounts and posers and scams and phishing and whatnot.

Sometimes, there is this misconception, which is probably brought by generation gap, which makes older people assume that young children need to be thoroughly lectured on the security implications of the digital age when in fact these youngsters are more advanced than them and that safe exploration on social media and the internet is already second nature to them.

I agree, I think Security and Cyber Security are needed prior to
learning about Bitcoin. They learn about computers at school at
a very early age I think in todays world its important for parents
to suppliment the teachings from school, we do it with other topics.

Where I am kids as young as 13 have smartphones and carry them
always, parents see it as a security feature for their kids so yea kids
are exposed to being online from an early age, we made sure our
youngster had the information we had when she got her first smartphone,
but we made sure it wasnt a lecture.

I would rather tell them about security than leaving it up to someone else
they know or not know.

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[Smartvirus]

Today’s children are therefore more focused on some other things than to acquire some knowledge, because knowledge is always available online. I read somewhere that this has the effect of reducing the percentage of the brain we actively use, which would mean that technology is starting to limit us in some way when it comes to cognitive abilities - computers think, and we are becoming less and less intelligent.

That's true, most knowledge now is at the end of your fingertips. I'm not exactly against the evolution we've taken. Someone might be less intelligent because of it, but they have anything, and everything at their fingertips, so are only seconds away from gaining the necessary information to carry out whatever they need to do. They should probably teach how to search properly though.

Little wonder how Google became our friend. Before you even get to think, you reference Google for whatever and there is little we could do about it. It seems an easier way to live and most of us consider it being smart. It's the age and so, we tend to flow along with it.
At Tim's I become very surprise and Furious at what some of the extremely rich forks and celebrities get for them kids and I mean toddlers at that. You get to see them with some highly suffisticated devices and I wonder if it's just to make headlines on social media's as its there nature or its actually gifted them. In one instance, you've already built a dependency between that child and the device and it goes on all through life. Making the next generation tech genius at the expense of our cognitive ability.

[Kelvinid]

I won't disagree with the intention to educate them early but I think we shouldn't have to urge them to do this but instead, give them time to take responsibility when they are ready enough to handle things like this. Because for me, I'd rather make them enjoy themselves playing around and their childhood days as these things about security and cyber education is a serious matter which is highly recommended for young adults at least, not these kids.

Honestly, we are putting more pressure on them. 

[Israelgogo]

I believe teaching an 11 ,9 and 7 year old kids bitcoin education is totally wrong ,it will distract them from school and make them exposed to money too early,they will become too money oriented & prioritise it alot, there love for money will grow over schooling because they wont have value for schooling since they can make money without even finishing school,they wont see need to be educated since bitcoin can sort their needs.
Parenting has failed due to our inability to think before acting.

[AakZaki]

there must be strict supervision both online and offline. because evil can come from anywhere. Some of the security that must be applied to online is to monitor children's devices and parents' devices must have special access. scammers target them and become easy targets to manipulate.
Children's carelessness about online safety also causes problems in offline safety. Make sure children are properly educated about safety that will protect themselves and those around them.

[TheNineClub]

Good point OP, but I would stress that school education on all things cyber (to use that general term) is an imperative, as well as general economic education (I know former socialist countries had that but also USA through some of their programs). The kids are allready behind the times so it's high time for some educational shifts.

[Kelvinid]

I'd find it necessary as we know that our kids have been already exposed to social media and online activities. It was very important to have at least some knowledge about cyber security in order to protect themselves. But what we need is gradual teaching and of course, some limitations such as putting stress on their mind make it useless and probably it never works.

And maybe having this as a part of the discussion in school helps them to understand and give more importance to why it is a need.

[Rengga Jati]

After few days, my children told me how they had informed their friends that I own Bitcoin and have “plenty dollars”. And my children advised these friends to tell their parents so that they can earn dollars.
Immediately I became concerned and scared. In my country the US dollar is highly valued and anyone that owns One Bitcoin is a Millionaire. Who are the parents or relative of these my children’s friends? Some might be criminals. I was scared because I can become a target of fraudsters, Kidnappers and armed robbery because of my children’s actions. Immediately I stopped the Bitcoin class and started teaching them cyber safety and general financial safety education.

This is exactly a valuable lesson for me personally.
From this story, I can take:
- Teaching children as their age acceptance, with their age possibility to understand. No need to force us to learn and accept more about what we want to teach
- Teaching children about cryptocurrency especially Bitcoin is possible and we can start it earlier. But there is a crucial note "Don't show them how much we have in the wallets or exchanges". Just teach them about crypto generally.
- Children still don't know about cyber security, criminals, and also other emotional controls very well, so, we as parents also need to be careful when teaching them about something, we should teach them about it, step by step.

[Franctoshi]

Base on the increasing cyber crime in recent days ,it's very much important that we take cyber security education seriously this days and therefore educate or reducate our Children on how to protect their theirselves interms of privacy and Data when exposed to internet and even before teaching about finances and getting them involve in any form of online transaction and digital currencies like Bitcoin.

[Wakate]

There is always a need to tech our children about those things they ought to know about. Bitcoin is a digital currency and also an assets that can yield good profits when hold for a long period of time. I think there is need to teach our children about the next evolution of money which is the digital currency. We shouldn't keep the knowledge away from children because it can help them in a long way to get aquatinted to the next evolution of money.

Cyber security is a mandatory step parents need to take to avoid children being a juvenile deliquescency. Wrong influence had made many children to fall astray because of lack of cyber security education that could draw them to a wrong path. There is high need for the government to include optimum cyber security education  to students' corriculum.

[Pmalek]

Your kids are too young to understand the importance of keeping family matters private. You experienced it yourself when they started talking about how wealthy their father is. At a young age, they are still too innocent, naïve, and honest. You can slowly introduce them to Bitcoin, but it's not necessary for them to see and know how much you have in your portfolio. If they don't know, they can't brag to their friends. And even if they brag, they have only seen a small part of your stash. Something not worth to worry about. I would even go as far as creating a separate wallet with just a little bit of BTC that you can use for your education.   

The bigger lesson here is teaching them that things that concern their family shouldn't be discussed with the outside world. It's better if they disclose less information than too much.

[Mpamaegbu]

I was teaching them about the operations of Bitcoin but I observed that they were always fascinated when I discuss wallets. Immediately they saw the worth of the Bitcoin I own in Dollars they crammed the value. Once they observed that Bitcoin has appreciated and the Dollar worth have increased, they would celebrate and hug themselves because daddy have made more money.

Nice intention but wrong move. But of course, that's what you should expect from children. In their innocence, they could wreck havoc. Take for instance how they spread the message, thinking they're doing their daddy good; not knowing that could even lead to someone harming you their dad. Next time, whether with your children or those you teach, try using a wallet with a few dollar or no dollar in it at all. You can even blank the amount in the wallet from the settings. That feature is under "Hide Balances". It does no one no good to expose oneself, wittingly or unwittingly. There's a reason people don't like telling others how much they earn. It's a precaution for safety.

[Shamm]

I was teaching them about the operations of Bitcoin but I observed that they were always fascinated when I discuss wallets. Immediately they saw the worth of the Bitcoin I own in Dollars they crammed the value. Once they observed that Bitcoin has appreciated and the Dollar worth have increased, they would celebrate and hug themselves because daddy have made more money.

Nice intention but wrong move. But of course, that's what you should expect from children. In their innocence, they could wreck havoc. Take for instance how they spread the message, thinking they're doing their daddy good; not knowing that could even lead to someone harming you their dad. Next time, whether with your children or those you teach, try using a wallet with a few dollar or no dollar in it at all. You can even blank the amount in the wallet from the settings. That feature is under "Hide Balances". It does no one no good to expose oneself, wittingly or unwittingly. There's a reason people don't like telling others how much they earn. It's a precaution for safety.

I have a doubt about 7 years old to 10 years old cause we all know  these kids are too young to enter or listen the discussion about crypto or in Bitcoin itself. Like in my country this ages mentioned  are too young to teach,  because all they have in mind set to play and have fun with their friends maybe not all  but the majority of any children in my country are not interested about  crypto.
Maybe in other countries their children are good and start learning Bitcoin in the earliest age.

[pawanjain]

Just by reading the post title I kind of understood what would have had happened and I guessed it right.
You are doing a good thing by teaching your children what bitcoin is but at the same time it is absolutely necessary to shine some light on privacy and security too.
I think you should teach your children about security by playing some kind of games with them where the moral of the story would be how to avoid from being scammed/robbed.
This would be a great eye opener for them and they will remember it for life time.
You can then gradually convert those security incidents into cyber security and then relate it to bitcoin.
This thread is an eye opener for those who are thinking to teach their children about crypto.

[qwertyup23]

Good point OP, but I would stress that school education on all things cyber (to use that general term) is an imperative, as well as general economic education (I know former socialist countries had that but also USA through some of their programs). The kids are allready behind the times so it's high time for some educational shifts.

In addition to the excellent points stated by OP, I think it is also noteworthy to mention and to add that teaching children how to learn the value of money can be a crucial aspect towards their appreciation in investing. If children know how to value their resources, then they would slowly develop this kind of mentality where they will conserve their resources and money.

I remember that my parents used to tell me that before I can purchase something or ask, I should definitely work hard for something that I want. Whether it be toys or anything, I should always do something in return (e.g. clean my bed, etc.).

[Mpamaegbu]

~snipped~

Maybe in other countries their children are good and start learning Bitcoin in the earliest age.

Children are the same all over the world. There's something called tabula rasa in every human when they're born. What makes the difference is what type of impressions parents want to make on them. Children can learn stuff we ordinarily wouldn't expect them to. For instance, I've seen kids who start reading real books at four years old. For me, I've developed that mindset of making my kids learn trading once they get to age 14 and that should be in their first year at senior secondary class. I want them to believe in themselves and in what they can achieve by themselves and not the regular go to school, obtain a certificate and then go job hunting. They will be the jobs themselves.

[Penelope Wheeler]

This generation is really advanced compared to our times. Parents are teaching their kids a lot of things, early on. While this may be a good practice rate, it is also quite challenging as they grow they will feel the competition. While you teach them about bitcoins, you must only realise that they have access to the web and they can get fooled real easily. They are oblivious to the fact of how the world functions. I suggest you give them basic information but do not share passwords and keys as they are innocent and do not understand the reality equation. Hope this helped!

[Majestic-milf]

 I don't think the op was wrong in introducing his kids to the world of BTC and cyber security at a young age because frankly speaking, the world has gone digital and everything you can learn or need to know is and could be on your fingertips if you are a computer literate.
 Learning is in stages and although it might some feel it may be too much for that kid, what about situations where some parents pile their kid's brain with piano classes, foreign languages and the rest of them believing that it's the best time to do these stuffs since their brains are still fresh?

[Asiska02]

This is very true, children are easily lured to give sensitive information about their personal and home life. Teaching the children first about cyber security is essential than exposing them on how to make money. It is important they know this before hand before investing or looking for money. The world has changed and cyber attackers are always looking any possible means to attack their victims.
I never thought of this all this while, thanks for sharing this as it will really help a lot.

[minime0105]

This is very true, children are easily lured to give sensitive information about their personal and home life. Teaching the children first about cyber security is essential than exposing them on how to make money. It is important they know this before hand before investing or looking for money. The world has changed and cyber attackers are always looking any possible means to attack their victims.
I never thought of this all this while, thanks for sharing this as it will really help a lot.

I think the children can still make money while they learn about Cyber Security, Children of nowadays are too smart to be lured into giving out sensitive information about their home or personal lives. I will prefer to engage my kids to ways of their financial freedom before teaching them about cyber security.