ANZ kids show their online security savvy

Trend Micro just announced the winners of its annual 'What's Your Story?' competition.

This year's theme was about internet safety, asking 'what would you do to make the internet a safer place?' which saw Dakota Adams, aged eight, from Connolly in Western Australia, and Madison Hurst, aged 11, from Glendene in New Zealand, take out joint ultimate winner, each winning $2,250 in cash prizes.

More than 115 children across Australia and New Zealand entered the competition, which is open to primary school children aged five to 12 years, aimed at celebrating the creativity of the digital generation and encouraging them to think and talk openly about cybersecurity.

Regional winners for the 2017 'What's Your Story?' competition were awarded $1,500 each in cash prizes.

Winners include Anthony Foong, aged 10, from Castle Hill in New South Wales, Grace Jones, aged nine, from Cashmere in Queensland, and Bilal Canpolat, aged nine, from Meadow Heights in Victoria Tim Falinski.

Consumer director at Trend Micro APAC said the annual 'What's Your Story?' competition aims to encourage awareness and positive behaviours towards online safety.

"The internet is a big part of children's lives, with them spending long periods of time on a variety of connected gadgets at home, socially and in school.

It's important to engage with them about cybersecurity from a young age, so they know 'cyber etiquette' and how to assess if they might be in danger."

"This year we received a terrific number of creative entries, which is a testament to the teachers and parents around the country that see the true importance of educating their children around internet safety," Falinski said.

Judges included representatives from Facebook, Twitter, Office of eSafety Commissioner, Stay Smart Online, Netsafe, Just Kidding Magazine, Cybershack, TechDay, and Trend Micro.

Each winner was also awarded a Trend Micro Home Network Security ($399) and a 24-month Maximum Security product ($259).

To learn more about the competition and to check out the winning entries click here.