April 11, 2023
The New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) today announced the 12 winners of the New York State “Kids Safe Online” Poster Contest. The winners were selected from more than 550 participants, from schools across New York State. Winning posters may be viewed here.
The goal of the contest, held annually since 2005, is to engage young people in thinking about cyber security through the creation of posters that will encourage their peers to use the internet safely and securely.
The contest also serves as an opportunity for teachers across New York State to address and reinforce cyber security and online safety issues in the classroom. Students have a chance to illustrate their concerns about cyber bullying, sharing too much personal information and the appropriate use of social media platforms with their peers and teachers in a positive way.
The contest, hosted in conjunction with the Center for Internet Security’s (CIS) Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center’s (MS-ISAC) national poster contest, was open to New York State students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
"ITS is pleased to collaborate with MS-ISAC on this important educational campaign and we commend every student and teacher who participated and submitted entries. Congratulations to the winners whose artwork will continue to educate students and adults about cyber security," New York State Acting ITS Chief Information Officer Jennifer Lorenz said.
"Students understand how the digital world integrates into their lives and are able to create powerful messages on how to stay safe online. I am always impressed by how the students can take complex topics and simplify them to educate their peers in a fun and exciting way,” said New York State Chief Information Security Officer Chris DeSain.
“Students of all ages are connected across a variety of devices, like phones, tablets, school laptops and gaming systems,” said Karen Sorady, Vice President, MS-ISAC Member Engagement at the Center for Internet Security. “The Kids Safe Online poster contest is a terrific way to not only educate our kids about making smart choices and protecting their personal information, but it also empowers them to identify and report potential online dangers to keep their friends and communities safer.”
The winners’ artwork will be featured in the 2024 New York State “Kids Safe Online” Calendar. Winners will also receive a New York State certificate of achievement. All winning entries are submitted to the National K-12 Poster Contest, conducted by the CIS’s MS-ISAC.
Congratulations to the 2022-2023 New York State Poster Contest winners:
Emily Zhang, Grade 2, PS 46 Albert V. Maniscalco Elementary. District 31
Isaac, Grade 2
Madelyn Chipalowsky, Grade 2, Ledgeview Elementary, Clarence Central School District
Serafina, Grade 3
Sahana Kuppireddy, Grade 3, Genet Elementary, East Greenbush Central School District
Alex, Grade 5
Nicolette Shalyt, Grade 6, I.S. 98 - The Bay Academy for the Arts and Sciences, District 21
Braden Morotta, Grade 6, Schalmont Middle School, Schalmont Central School District
Edward Thompson, Grade 6, East Rochester Middle Level Academy, East Rochester Union Free School District
Angelina Sparacino, Grade 9, St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, Diocese of Rockville Centre
Anna, Grade 11
Access more information on the New York State “Kids Safe Online” Poster Contest at https://its.ny.gov/cybersecurity.