UNESCO defines digital literacy as the “ability to access, manage, understand, integrate, communicate, evaluate, and create information safely and appropriately through digital devices and networked technologies for participation in economic, social, and political life” [1].
Some highlights from A Digital Equity Plan for the City of Philadelphia [2]:
Only 75% of Philadelphia households have a working desktop or laptop computer, which is necessary for many essential online tasks. 42% said that affordability of internet service or cost of the device was the most important reason they don’t have internet access. 75% of low-income residents (< $20k/year) said over $20/month for internet access would be too high.
Cyber hygiene is a key digital literacy skill that “encompasses practices and steps that individual users and organizations take to maintain their online security and strengthen the security of their computers or other digital devices” [1]. Americans’ knowledge about cybersecurity and cyberhygiene varies by topic, age, gender, race, and ethnicity [3].
C3 overview and purpose
The Cybersecurity in Application Research, and Education (CARE) Lab, the Digital Equity Center, and the Women in Cybersecurity Student Chapter at Temple University are hosting a series of Community Cybersecurity Clinics (C3) in October and November in North Philadelphia.
The goal of the C3 is to promote cyber hygiene practices for our North Philly community, especially during the month of October (Cybersecurity Awareness Month) and November (International Fraud Awareness Week: November 17-23). The purpose is to arm members of our community with knowledge on how to better protect themselves and their devices when working with technology. C3 registration form is at the bottom of this page. C3 flyer available in English and Spanish.
Clinic 1: Data & privacy
When: Friday, October 4, 12.30pm-3pm
Where: Digital Equity Center, 1915 N. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19112
Description: This clinic shares information on how to manage privacy settings, browsing in cognito mode, using VPNs, and the basics of online safety.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their devices and follow along to get a hands-on tutorial on how to implement these practices.
Clinic 2: Breaches, hacked accounts, and implications for your data
When: Wednesday, October 9, 12.30pm-3pm
Where: Digital Equity Center, 1915 N. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19112
Description: This clinic shares information on how our sensitive information may be exposed during breaches, telltale signs of our accounts being hacked, and what users can do to protect themselves.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their devices and follow along to get a hands-on tutorial on how to implement these practices.
Clinic 3: Keeping your devices and online presence clean
When: Friday, October 18, 12.30pm-3pm
Where: Free Library of Philadelphia, Lillian Marrero Branch
Description: This clinic covers topics like maintaining a clean online presence to ensure a healthy digital footprint, realizing when your devices are compromised and good practices to keep them clean, and how to safely dispose electronic devices.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their devices and follow along to get a hands-on tutorial on how to implement these practices.
Clinic 4: Recycle day
When: Friday, October 25, 12.30pm-3pm
Where: Digital Equity Center, 1915 N. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19112
Description: This clinic introduces the topic of safely and properly disposing of old devices and electronics, by using a local e-waste recycling nonprofit, PAR Recycle Works. Throwing electronics in the trash is not only bad for our environment, but we never know who might find them and how they could misuse them.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their old devices, clean them during the clinic, and safely recycle them with PAR.
Clinic 5: Frauds and scams awareness
When: Wednesday, November 20, 12.30pm-3pm
Where: Free Library of Philadelphia, Lillian Marrero Branch
Description: In honor of International Fraud Awareness Week (November 17-23), this clinic promotes anti-fraud awareness and education to minimize the harms of frauds and scams. Topics covered include identity theft, phi/vi/smishing awareness, and mitigation and prevention.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and concerns to the clinic to encourage conversations in safe and judgement-free spaces.
References
[1] USAID (2022). “Digital Literacy Primer”. Online at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USAID_Digital_Literacy_Primer.pdf
[2] Office of Innovation and Technology (2022). “A Digital Equity Plan For the City of Philadelphia”. Online at https://www.phila.gov/media/20220215130307/Digital-Equity-Plan.pdf
[3] Pew Research Center (2024). “What Americans Know About AI, Cybersecurity and Big Tech”. Online at https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2023/08/PI_2023.08.17_Digital-Knowledge_FINAL.pdf