LIVONIA, Mich. – Back-to-school season used to be all about pencils, notebooks, and making sure the backpack still zipped.
Now, cybersecurity experts say parents should think about something else your child carries every day, even when they are not holding it.
Amelia Smith, an AI business analyst with STACK Cybersecurity, says it is no longer just about what kids physically take to school.
It is also about what they digitally bring with them.
Think of it as a digital backpack – a digital history students carry at all times, whether they are at home or sitting in a classroom.
What is a digital backpack?
Smith says a digital backpack can include a wide range of information connected to a student’s phone, tablet, or computer.
That can mean:
- Location history, if it is turned on
- App metadata and activity connected to what they download and use
- Connections to different networks, including public Wi Fi
- Digital achievements, like certificates and badges earned through school or college programs
The cybersecurity firm says those accomplishments can be a positive part of a student’s digital record. Digital certificates and badges, for example, can be tied to a unique code and shared later on platforms like LinkedIn or personal websites.
But she says the digital backpack also collects risks, and those risks can add up quickly if families are not paying attention.
Location sharing is one of the biggest concerns
One of Smith’s top recommendations is to check location sharing settings.
She says families should consider turning location services off completely in the general settings of the device, unless there is a specific reason to keep it on.
If a parent relies on tracking tools like Find My Friends or Life360, Smith recommends managing location settings app by app.
In other words, keep location turned on only for the apps you truly want using it, and turn it off everywhere else.
AI can be useful, but it can also create new privacy risks
Smith says AI tools can be valuable for research, depending on classroom rules and teacher expectations.
In her experience, using AI to gather information was encouraged, but using it to write assignments was not.
She calls AI an excellent research companion, but not a writer. She says students still need to do their own writing because the learning process includes figuring out what you want to say and how to communicate it clearly.
She also says families should understand the privacy risks that can come with using AI tools.
Smith warns that, by default, some AI platforms collect what users type and may use it in ways students do not fully understand.
Her advice is straightforward: never type sensitive personal information into a chatbot.
That includes anything you would not want exposed, like personal identifiers or private details.
Smith says the reality is kids are going to use AI, and adults need to accept that and put guardrails in place.
She compares it to earlier generations using study shortcuts like SparkNotes.
Teachers adapted then, and she says classrooms will need to adapt again by understanding how students might use AI and building expectations around it.
Gaming chats can expose kids to risky behavior
Another piece of the digital backpack many parents overlook is what happens during gaming.
Smith warns that gaming chats can be offensive and can encourage risky behavior.
She says slurs and age-inappropriate language can spread quickly when children have open access to talk to others online.
STACK says that’s why it matters for parents to monitor devices and settings, and to talk with kids about what is appropriate and what to do if they see something harmful.
Fake school accounts and phishing links can trick families
Families should also watch for misinformation tied to schools, especially on social media.
Smith says fake accounts can post false updates, including something as simple as a fake snow day. But she warns the bigger risk is when a message includes a link that looks official, but is actually a phishing attempt designed to capture personal information.
Smith recommends families rely on trusted school email accounts instead of social media posts when it comes to important updates.
She suggests saving official school domains to trusted senders in email settings and still staying cautious even when an email looks real.
If something seems suspicious, she says parents should call the school directly to confirm.
Cyberbullying can happen anywhere kids connect
Smith says bullying has not changed, but the platforms have.
Kids can bully through text messages, phone calls, social media accounts, and gaming chats.
Smith says the best thing parents can do is talk to their children and monitor their devices.
That means checking that your child is not bullying others, and if your child is being targeted, making sure they have support and that the school is involved in addressing it.
Smith adds that keeping an eye on a child’s device is not an invasion of privacy.
She says it is a necessary step of parenting in this digital age.
What parents can do right now
As families get ready for the first day of school, Smith suggests adding a digital checklist alongside the usual supply list.
Consider:
- Review location sharing and limit it to only the apps you truly need
- Talk about what should never be shared in AI tools or chatbots
- Remind kids that online messages and links can be fake, even when they look official
- Encourage kids to come to you if they experience harassment, bullying, or uncomfortable conversations online
- Monitor devices, apps, and privacy settings regularly, not just once a year
Smith says the goal is not to scare parents.
It is to make sure families understand that students are carrying a digital backpack every day, and that parents can help reduce the risks by taking a few simple steps before school starts.