2022-2023 Kids Safe Online Poster Contest

Attention Teachers & Educators!

The NYS Office of Information Technology Services, Chief Information Security Office (ITS CISO) is conducting a kindergarten through 12th grade computer safety contest in conjunction with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC).

The goal of the contest is to engage young people in thinking about cybersecurity through the creation of posters that will encourage their peers to use the Internet safely and securely.

The sponsors of the contest believe that young people know best how their friends and classmates are using the Internet and can craft the messages and the images that will resonate with their peers and help them stay safe online.

The contest is designed to be fun and educational. Enter the New York State contest to become eligible for the national contest! Winners will be awarded in New York in early 2023. Winners will be submitted to the national contest for category (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9 -12, and special education).

Entries may be used in national, regional and state cyber and computer security awareness campaigns. Examples can be found on the Kids Safe Online Webpage.

We encourage teachers to use this contest as one way to begin addressing cybersecurity and online safety issues in the classroom. For information and resources about cybersecurity issues visit the "Protecting our Children on the Internet" and MS-ISAC.

Eligibility

All public, private, and homeschooled students in kindergarten through 12th grades in New York State may participate. 

Criteria

Poster art should illustrate the safe use of the Internet or mobile devices in a positive manner. Create original artwork* that demonstrates one of the following concepts:

*Artwork cannot contain trademarked images or brands such as clipart, Snapchat, Dell, Google, Twitter, and Facebook.

• interacting with others and not bullying or threatening others on the Internet

• not giving out personal information on the Internet

• only visiting safe websites

• being cautious with email

• being careful not to download malicious code from websites

• how online gaming can be dangerous

• protecting against identity theft

• safe use of social networking

• any original concept that illustrates safe use of the Internet or mobile devices

Suggested Topics

• Cybersecurity

• Cyber Bullying

• Cyber Community Citizenship (Cyber Ethics)

• Malicious Code (Worms and Viruses)

• Social networking

• Mobile devices (Smartphones, tablets)

Official 2022-2023 NYS "Kids Safe Online" Rules 

Format

• Original hand drawn or electronically created submissions will be accepted.

• Posters are to be created individually with a limit of one entry per student. 

• Electronic submissions should not use clip art or premade images.

• Text should be dark and large enough to read.

• A variety of media may be used, such as watercolor, pen and ink, crayon and markers. Brighter colors reproduce better. Light pencil marks will not show up.

Layout

• Landscape Format Only

Dimensions

• Minimum - 8.5" (h) X 11" (w)

• Maximum - 11" (h) X 14" (w)

Content

• DO NOT send any artwork that contains trademarked images or brands such as clipart, Disney Characters, Dell, Google, Twitter, and Facebook. Any entry that infringes upon copyright will not be judged.  For additional information on copyright visit: http://www.copyrightkids.org/

• Do not put any personal identifying information on the front of the poster.

• Teachers, support staff, and parents may offer minimum technical support but cannot aid in the creative process. No professional (paid) assistance is allowed.

Posters will be judged by members of the Kids Safe Online Committee on the following criteria:

• creativity

• originality

• quality

• poster concept

• adherence to technical specifications.

Mailing Information

Poster entries must be received via US Mail or other courier no later than December 16, 2022. Electronic submission must be made by 5pm on December 16, 2022. Late entries will not be included in the contest.

All entries submitted become the property of ITS and may be used in future ITS publications; as well as, in national, regional and state cyber and computer security awareness campaigns. Posters will not be returned.

NYS Poster Submission Forms

• Please be sure to include an Entry Identification Tag with each entry: Entry Identification Tag

Posters entries should be mailed to:

Kids Safe Online NYS Poster Contest
NYS Office of Information Technology Services
Chief Information Security Office
1220 Washington Avenue
Building 5, Floor 4
Albany, NY  12226
Attn: Jessica Smith

Please use the Electronic Submission Form for all digital entries.