Internet Safety
Computers and the Internet are becoming more and more a part of our daily lives. The rapid growth of the Information Highway presents exciting opportunities for Canadian families. It lets us communicate with each other, conduct business or simply research ideas and information on any topic in the world.
Most Internet users have very positive experiences; but like hazards on some roads we travel, the information highway has some routes that may pose a threat to the safety of the children and young adults in your family. These include accidental access to pornographic, sexually exploitative and racist websites,bulletin boards and chat lines. The following information will help you as a parent to protect the children in your family while using the Internet.
Computers should be located in family areas of your home – avoid placing them in secluded areas such as a child’s bedroom.
Children and teens should always ask permission to go on-line.
Monitor Internet Use – Be aware of the sites your children and teens are visiting. Periodically check the screen while your children are on-line. You might wish to purchase software which blocks unwanted sites.
Identify with your children appropriate websites to visit. Bookmark interesting sites.
Discourage the use of chat lines. They are not e-mail but an active discussion with two or more computer users anywhere in the world. Remember, these are people you do not know. Teens are more apt to participate in open discussions regarding relationships. As a result they may be more vulnerable to exploitation. Predators monitor chat lines
Never permit your child or teen to give out identifying and personal information. This includes name, phone number, credit card number, as well as home or school e-mail addresses.
Never permit your child or teen to arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they met on-line.
Never allow your child or teen to send pictures. Pictures can be altered for exploitative purposes.
Never allow your child or teen to respond to messages that are suggestive, mean, obscene, threatening or just feel weird, uncomfortable, confusing or scary. Encourage your child or teen to tell you if they receive such a message or if they mistakenly access material of a racist, sexually explicit or violent nature.
Related Links
Cybertip.ca
Cybertip.ca is Canada's National Tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. It is a centralized web portal for receiving and addressing reports from the public regarding child pornography, luring, child sex tourism, and children who are exploited through prostitution. Cybertip.ca also provides the public with information, referrals and other resources to help Canadians keep their children safe while on the Internet.
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