Personal Development theme of the month:

Digital Skills (GDPR and Cyber Security)

What are Digital Skills?

Essential digital skills include being able to: use devices like a computer, tablet or mobile phone for simple, personal and work tasks. find and use information on the internet. understand how to be safe and responsible online. communicate socially and professionally using email, messaging and social media.

What is an example of a digital skill?

Digital skills in the workplace can include original content creation, e-commerce, network and information security, UX/UI design, digital marketing, social media marketing, and data analytics. Advanced digital skills range from data visualization and basic programming skills to data engineering.

What are the basic digital skills?

Using a computer.
Being able to use a computer is the bare minimum when it comes to digital literacy skills.
Navigating the internet.
Staying safe online.
Communicating online.
Creating and editing online documents.
Paying for products and services online.

Why do employers look for digital skills?

Digital skills help you work efficiently in a digitally charged workplace and communicate via smart devices. Doing so will ultimately save you time, connect you with multiple people worldwide, and unlock a goldmine of opportunities.

What are the digital skills in demand in the UK?

UK workers report AI, coding and app development as the fastest growing and most in-demand digital skills today

What digital skills are important this 2023?

7 High-Paying Digital skills:

Product Designing (UI/UX)
Cloud Computing.
Cybersecurity
Web and App Development (Programming)
Digital or Social Media Marketing.
AI and Machine Learning.
Graphics Designing and Animating.

How does GDPR relate to digital skills?

With GDPR legislation, companies must be explicit about the ways in which they collect personal data for marketing purposes. This means asking specific explicit permission as they collect it, as well as offering consumers a valid reason for having the information.

How has the GDPR impacted digital consent?

Marketing consent – The most important change that GDPR brings is that you will have to get explicit consent from your customers to use their personal data. If you don’t have consent, then you won’t be able to use personal data as part of your digital marketing strategy.

Let’s remember cyber security when accessing Digital platforms

Cyber-bullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like mobile phones, computers, and tablets. Cyber-bullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyber-bullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyber-bullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behaviour.

The most common places where cyber-bullying occurs are:

Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter
SMS (Short Message Service) also known as Text Message sent through devices
Instant Message (via devices, email provider services, apps, and social media messaging features)
Email

How to stay safe online

The internet is great fun but it does have dangers and all at NWCS want you to be safe online. When you join a chatroom you’ll find people are very friendly but the person you are talking to might not always be who they say they are. People can pretend to be your age and unfortunately there have been cases where adults have pretended to be teenagers and lured young people into meeting them in dangerous situations. Some of these cases have ended up in court in the UK.

Internet safety tips:

Never give out your real name.
Never tell anyone where you study, or work.
Only meet someone from a chatroom in a public place with one of your parents or another adult. If they are genuinely who they say they are they will be happy to do this.
Never give out your address or telephone number.
Never agree to meet anyone from a chatroom on your own.
Tell an adult if someone makes inappropriate suggestions to you or makes you feel uncomfortable online.

Further useful reading

Discovery learning platform

Through August 2023 NWCS are promoting

Digital Skills/GDPR and Cyber Security

A further learning opportunity in relation to this has been set up for you via the Discovery learning platform. Please ensure to speak with your Training Officer about this.

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