Using technology to stay safer online
Image from the learner’s view of the Floreo “Digital Boundaries” simulations. Images courtesy of Floreo.
By Lynn B. Johnson, MFA, APR, Cuyahoga DD
Did you know that people with autism are twice as likely to be victims of cyberbullying? And that they are less likely than their peers to block people or websites, leaving them more exposed to harmful content and individuals.
Floreo, the pioneering developer of virtual reality (VR)-based therapy for neurodivergent youth and adults, recently released a series of simulations developed in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Called “Digital Boundaries,” this series teaches people how to:
2. Recognize "tricky people" in online gaming
3. Build the critical judgment skills needed to evaluate trust in digital spaces.
"By codeveloping this simulation with Cuyahoga DD, we're empowering youth and adults to practice and strengthen digital safety skills through safe, immersive, and repeatable scenarios,” said Vijay Ravindran, CEO and founder of Floreo.
Using a VR headset, learners engage in realistic scenarios that highlight unsafe interactions, such as conversations with a neighbor, an online gaming friend, or a "sweetheart."
These scenarios focus on risks like excessive attention, secrecy, and inappropriate requests for personal images or information.
Learners then practice safe responses by choosing to say no, end the interaction, or seek help from a trusted adult.
"Safe online interaction is a topic long overlooked for youth and adults with autism and developmental disabilities,” said Dr. Amber C. Gibbs, superintendent & CEO of Cuyahoga DD.
"By creating a safe and realistic way to practice digital safety, we are helping ensure that people with disabilities can not only feel more confident navigating online but also thrive in our increasingly digital world,” Dr. Gibbs said.
Cuyahoga DD serves more than 15,000 people annually in Cuyahoga County, supporting people with developmental disabilities across home, school, and community settings.
The “Digital Boundaries” module, intended for middle school-age youth and older, was piloted with people served by Cuyahoga DD. It will be rolled out this fall through Cuyahoga DD's assistive technology team, which works alongside families, case managers, and intervention specialists.
For more information about services for people with developmental disabilities, please visit CuyahogaDD.org or call 216-241-8230.