Turning “I Can’t” Into Cyber Confidence
Helping Kids Believe They Belong in the World of Tech. Not every child walks into the classroom feeling like a tech whiz. In fact, many kids with brilliant minds carry around a heavy backpack of doubt—especially when it comes to big, scary words like encryption, firewalls, or malware. But here’s the truth we tell every kid we meet: You don’t have to be a genius to get into cybersecurity. You just need someone to explain it like a friend—and believe in you like family.
Joann Gerena
5/8/20241 min read
🌟 Cyber Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
We make it fun. We make it clear. We bring cybersecurity to the playground.
Malware is like a sneaky raccoon trying to steal snacks from your lunchbox.
Firewalls? Think of them like the security guard at school who only lets the good guys in.
Phishing is just a tricky message pretending to be a friend—but it’s really a scammer in disguise (like those prank calls saying you won a free puppy… but there’s no puppy).
💪 For the Kid Who Thinks “I’m Not Good Enough”
Listen up, future defender of the digital world:
Cybersecurity isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about being curious, asking questions, and standing up for what’s right.
You know how to problem-solve when your game won’t load.
You protect your snacks from your siblings like a pro.
Guess what? Those are the same skills real cybersecurity heroes use every day.
💻 Let’s Rewire Their Confidence
When we meet kids where they are—with humor, color, stories, and everyday comparisons—they start to believe they can do this. And once they believe, the sky’s the limit.
So whether your child struggles in math, avoids raising their hand, or feels invisible in class—remind them:
✨ Cyber needs brave thinkers, not perfect ones.
✨ Cyber needs you.
Written by Joann Gerena
Cybersecurity Professional | Founder of G-Tech Elevations
“Learn it. Code it. Color it. — with Techie Tori.”