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Cyber Collective empowers communities to stay vigilant and safe online together.
The story I want to share is one of community, safety, and solidarity. And it starts with Cyber Collective. From day one, we’ve been creating spaces where people from all walks of life can come together to talk about something that affects us all: online safety. Whether it’s data privacy, cybersecurity, or digital well-being, the reality is that these issues touch everyone, whether we realize it or not.
Most people experience them in fragmented ways—through security training at work, hearing about the latest data breach on the news, or, unfortunately, when a loved one falls victim to a cyberattack. These moments leave us in a state of vulnerability and confusion. I’ve seen it countless times. People know there’s something they should be doing, but the weight of responsibility can be overwhelming.
What we’ve learned through hosting workshops and community conversations is that this is bigger than just knowing how to avoid a phishing scam. It’s about protecting each other, just like we do in real life. It’s about bringing that sense of vigilance and care into the digital space.
Think about how you feel when you’re walking home late at night. Your senses heighten, your eyes scan the street, you stay alert. Maybe you even glance over at the person walking a few feet in front of you, just to make sure they’re okay. That’s street smarts—it’s an instinct we all share. We know how to protect ourselves and those around us when something feels off. We look out for each other.
Now, imagine if we took that same instinct and applied it to the digital world. That’s the heart of the Internet Street Smarts course. It’s not just about teaching people how to avoid cyber threats. It’s about learning to be digitally vigilant the way we’re vigilant in the real world. Just like you’d help a stranger zip up their bag on a crowded subway or call out to someone who dropped their phone, we need to be looking out for each other online.
But here’s where it gets real. Cybercrime isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a deeply traumatic experience. Imagine losing your life savings to a scam. Imagine seeing personal photos or private information exposed to the world. For some people, especially those who don’t start from a place of privilege, a cyberattack can change the course of their life forever.
I’ve spoken with people who’ve gone through this. The fear, the shame, and the helplessness they felt in those moments. And it’s not just about what’s stolen—it’s about the way it shakes your sense of security. Suddenly, you don’t trust the systems that were supposed to keep you safe. And that feeling of violation? It sticks with you.
What we’re building at Cyber Collective is meant to address that head-on. We’ve seen that information isn’t enough. Sure, people know what phishing is. They’ve heard about multi-factor authentication. But when you’re in the moment—when your account gets hacked, or you get a call from your mom saying she clicked on a suspicious link—knowing isn’t the same as acting.
That’s why we’ve organized this course around community. We’ve brought together people who are natural leaders in their families and friend groups—the ones who already step up when someone needs help—and we’ve given them the tools to spread that knowledge further. This isn’t just about cybersecurity or data privacy. It’s about protecting our people. It’s about the mothers teaching their daughters how to stay safe online. It’s about the friend who knows how to spot a scam warning her group chat. It’s about the brother who sets up security measures for his family because he knows they won’t do it themselves.
That’s what solidarity looks like in our digital world. It’s about showing up for each other the way we do in real life—because when it comes to online safety, we can’t do this alone.
Internet Street Smarts isn’t just about personal safety—it’s about building a future where we all look out for each other. It’s about reclaiming our power in a world that often feels overwhelming and teaching those around us to do the same.
This is where you come in. We need you—not just to take this course, but to contribute to it. We’ve learned from our workshops that people need more than awareness and education. They need to feel like they’re not alone in this, and that’s what we’re here to provide. Our Internet Street Smarts course launches at the end of this month, and we’re opening up the waitlist now. I’m asking you—whether you’re a subject matter expert, a concerned friend, or a community leader—to join us. Help us build something that not only educates but also empowers. Share this with your loved ones. Tell us how we can make it better.
Together, we can create a world where digital vigilance is second nature—just like street smarts in real life.
In solidarity,
Cyber Collective
