Facilitator: Bo Gordy-Stith, Epworth UMC Pastor of Community and Communication
Digital hygiene refers to the practices and guidelines that help individuals maintain a healthy digital presence and protect their personal and financial information from cyber threats. We’ll talk about specific strategies and larger perspectives (using scriptural examples) on safely and faithfully navigating an increasingly online and digitized world.
Some major themes:
Convenience vs. security (usability)
Cognitive collaboration: Why humans and computers think better together
- Oct. 9 – Lambs Among Wolves (Luke 10:1-5)
- Sharing stories and lessons learned
- Yet the lambs go out – not impossible (and not one or the other)
- Requires an intentional discerning vigilance (steep learning curve)
Oct. 16 – Two Alone vs. Algorithm Storm (Mt 18:15-20)
Short-circuit conflict- Anonymous Aggression
- Curiosity vs. Persuasion
Oct. 23 – Password Ready (Luke 12:35-40)- Password Management – Two-factors
- Router Protection and VPN (Browser)
- Smartphone (and smart thing) tracking, and cookies
Oct. 30 – Avoid the Phish Fry (2 Kings 20:12-15)- Know Thy Interlocutor
- Think before clicking (or calling)
- Look for Tell-tales and Verify independently
Nov. 6 – Tamp Down Foolish Flames (Proverbs 15:14)- We are the product – persuasion architecture
- Pushing dis-Information buttons (for sales, salaciousness, and outrage)
- Avoiding the Google (Amazon) Chute
Nov. 13 – Supplemental Collaboration (1 Corinthians 6:12)- Create (interact with, evaluate), not just consume content
- Combine technical and cognitive skills
- Know when, why, and how to use digital tools
