High School Students Land in Top 20 in Cyber Safe Video Contest

Five public service announcement videos created by Wylie ISD students made the Top 20 Finalists in Region 10’s “The Digital Double Life” video contest.

Students from Wylie High School and Wylie East High School wrote, filmed, edited and produced videos for this campaign that aims to educate the public about the seriousness of internet safety, bring awareness to the real harm students can experience, and amplify student voices on public safety issues.

“Cyber safety is more important than ever because our students are growing up in a digital world where one click can have lasting consequences,” WEHS Information Technology teacher Kirk MacLean said. “Teaching them how to protect their privacy and make smart choices online is just as critical as any academic subject.”

Multiple Wylie ISD teams of digital media, video productions and information technology students competed in the North Texas Cyber Safe video competition - sponsored by Region 10, FBI Citizens Academy and the North Texas Crime Stoppers.

Students were tasked with creating a 60-90 second video that addressed topics such as catfishing, artificial intelligence, digital addiction, social media perfectionism, or online fraud.

“Students, especially younger ones such as freshmen and sophomores, are still developing their judgment,” WHS Audio/Video teacher Wade Ross said. “Educators have a duty of care to protect them not only in the physical world but also online. Teaching cyber safety helps prevent exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online predators, identity theft and scams.”

Congratulations to the following students for making the Top 20! Click the links to view their videos.

Wylie High School:

• CyberVideo Kaelyn Perry and Ayaan Allahrakha
• Final Cybersafe PSA Sania Ali and Jenae Thrower
• Addiction Gabriel King, Nicholas Moore, Harold Hayes, Brennan Cummings and Colin Vu
• CyberSafety Video Contest Brandon Linn and Cooper Barnett
• Teacher: Wade Ross

Wylie East High School:

• Gone in Seconds Furqaan Ahmed Mohammed and Brock Riley
• Teacher: Kirk MacLean

Thank you to the students and their teachers who helped spread awareness about the importance of digital safety. Their videos serve as important reminders of the need for responsible online behavior. For today’s students, understanding who they are interacting with online, and how to do so safely, is more critical than ever.