Cyber Security for Children: Digital Children’s Book Inspires Elementary Schools

19 September, 2025
Elementary school students learned how to better protect themselves online at the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien. The cybersecurity training program focused on a newly developed digital children’s book.
In the 2024/2025 academic year, FH Technikum Wien once again held a cyber security training course for three elementary school classes. Building on the experience of previous years, a new approach was taken this time: a digital children’s book in the form of a video story guided the students through the world of IT security in a child-friendly way. An expert accompanied the children through various everyday scenes and explained the most important threats on the internet.
Passwords – more than just letters and numbers
The video clearly illustrated why secure passwords are crucial. In addition to classic character combinations, it also explained patterns and PIN codes. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that short and easily guessed passwords – such as birth dates – are insecure because computers can crack them in no time. Children learned that a strong password should have at least 12 characters and require imagination.
Personal data – once on the internet, always on the internet
Another focus was on the handling of personal data. The children’s book conveyed that every photo uploaded leaves traces – even if it is later deleted. It also showed that images often contain invisible additional information such as location data (EXIF data) that can be misused. The dangers of cyberbullying and deepfakes were also addressed: photos and videos manipulated with AI can appear deceptively real and have serious consequences for children.
Phishing – Beware of the trap
Using the example of fake websites and messages, the students learned about the dangers of phishing. The video explained how deceptively real copies of login pages are created and how to recognize them – for example, by deviating web addresses or missing security features. Typical tricks used in emails and text messages were also explained in a practical way.
The result of this innovative approach can be viewed in the video here.
In addition to the video story, working documents for students and instructions for teachers were also used. These helped to reinforce what had been learned and to reflect on it in class.
Next steps: Website for the digital children’s book
In the next step, Urban Innovation Vienna – UIV (a company of Wien Holding) and the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien are working on a dedicated website for the “Digital Children’s Book – Cyber Security” project. This platform will serve as a central point of contact for providing video content, accompanying materials, and information for schools in a bundled form and making them more easily accessible.
Outlook
The project will enter its next phase in the 2025/2026 academic year: following the successful model of 2024/25, new chapters of the digital children’s book will be developed that address further cybersecurity topics in a child-friendly way. Together with elementary schools at Technikum Wien, the cooperation between UIV and FH Technikum Wien will continue in order to raise awareness among even the youngest students about the opportunities and risks of the digital world.
Further information:
Video: Digital Children’s Book Version 4
Basic IT security education for elementary schools: Challenges in the digital world (2024)
Workshop for elementary schools: “Using the Internet safely” (2023)





















