There is no denying the role that the internet plays in our day-to-day lives. Whether socializing, working or just getting directions to the airport, we all eventually find ourselves at the mercy of a glowing screen. With their new contest, the Cybersecurity and Human Behavior Club is inviting students to take aim at the ironies and idiosyncrasies of our increasingly digital lives while showcasing their artistic talents.

The First Annual Cybersecurity and Human Behavior Club Cartoon Contest is accepting submissions from all undergraduate Temple students, with prizes reaching up to $500 for winning entrants. The club is encouraging entries from across the university, not just cybersecurity majors, and hopes to spark creativity and conversations around the nature of our online lives.

“While the club explores topics like cybersecurity, it is equally interested in the human side of the digital world, including how people think, behave and make decisions online,” explains Julien Ehrenkönig, Assistant Director of the Cybersecurity and Human Behavior program. “Cartoons are an accessible and engaging way to highlight these dynamics.”

The theme for this year’s contest is social media. As Ehrenkönig notes, the seemingly universal nature of social media platforms made the theme a fertile ground for the editorial cartoon format and a perfect starting point for the contest.

“Social media platforms shape how we communicate, share information and present ourselves online, but they also introduce important challenges, from oversharing personal information to misinformation and scams,” says Ehrenkönig. “By focusing on social media, we hope students will explore the tension between connection, convenience and safety and reflect on how their everyday online choices influence their digital world.”

Both Ehrenkönig and the club hope the inaugural contest is the first of many, honoring the longstanding tradition of political and topical cartooning.

“A cartoon can capture a moment of insight, irony or caution in a way that is both memorable and engaging,” says Ehrenkönig, “and we hope the contest encourages students to think critically about online behavior.”

The deadline to enter the contest is March 30. Interested students can learn more and submit their entries at the contest web page.