This article was published just this last week and I think it's probably something a lot of parents, school teachers, administrators, IT support staff, and leadership might think about but it doesn't get a lot of attention until it becomes an issue. When 12-Year-Olds Can Breach School IT Systems, Who’s Responsible?  discusses the realities that school staff and families face today.

What happens when a 12 year old is able to hack into a school IT system? Who is responsible? What should be done? What can we do to try to redirect this curious behavior?

In this episode of the podcast, I talk a bit about my thoughts on this issue. I don't think there's a one-sized fits all answer here. Developmentally, young children have difficulty understanding abstract concepts. The internet, data, and technology is just that... abstract. While your child can hold a phone in his or her hand or can login to a computer, what happens behind the scenes in technology can be a mystery to children... and even adults too. This makes it difficult to understand what makes a poor choice and even the consequences around his or her actions.

Full disclaimer: I am not a lawyer nor a developmental psychologist. I am a trained educator and technologist sharing my perspective on this growing issue.

What are some situations you've encountered? Are you a parent with a curious child? Are you a teacher who's experienced something similar? I'd love to learn more about some of the issues you face and continue the conversation about this growing topic.

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