Strengthening Security: Women Leading the Charge in Cybersecurity

Cheryl Hayes, co-founder and chief business development officer at Cyber Legends, Inc., has experienced the detrimental effects of inadequate digital literacy among children, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. One incident involved a nine-year-old girl who was groomed on a social media platform, while local children fell victim to theft of their gaming tokens and passwords after befriending strangers online. These experiences underscore the urgent need for improved digital safety education.

Cyber Legends is dedicated to teaching cybersafety and coding to children in Grades 1–8 through an engaging gaming platform. The company also offers curriculum-aligned resources for both educators and parents, helping to ensure that children not only learn technical skills but also understand the potential dangers of the digital world. Ms. Hayes' background in customer success at a tech firm for nearly a decade has informed her approach to this critical area of children's education.

The focus of Cyber Legends is not merely on coding skills; it emphasizes safety and responsibility online. As children increasingly engage with digital platforms, it’s vital for them to acquire the necessary skills to navigate these spaces securely. Through Cyber Legends, Hayes aims to equip children with the tools they need to not only thrive in a digital environment but also protect themselves from its risks.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, the relevance of digital literacy has become even more pronounced, amplifying the necessity for proactive education in this field. The incidents Hayes mentions serve as cautionary tales that highlight the vulnerabilities of young internet users and the critical role of education in safeguarding them. Cyber Legends seeks to address these issues by providing comprehensive resources that combine fun and learning with a focus on cybersafety.

By fostering safe online practices through education, Cyber Legends aims to create a generation of digitally literate young people who can navigate the internet confidently and securely. This initiative reflects a broader recognition of the challenges children face in an increasingly digital world, pointing to a future where cybersafety is integral to educational curricula.

Through her work, Hayes is not only addressing immediate concerns about children's safety online but also laying the groundwork for a more informed and responsible digital society. Cyber Legends stands as a testament to the importance of combining learning with practical application, ensuring that kids are not just passive consumers of technology but active and safe participants in the digital landscape.