October 2010
Online Safety
Message from Dr. Janice Currie, VP, Counselling Services
Virtually every child and youth in Canada today has access to the Internet, be it at school, home, the library or through their cell phone. Every time a young person logs on they are connected to millions of people and to information on a wide range of topics that they may not otherwise have access to in real-time. The Internet helps them connect to one another by building community based on shared interests, identity and concerns. It can also give perspective, build leadership, critical thinking and negotiation skills. Unfortunately there are also many risks associated with the Internet:
Given that kids contact us and share their concerns about being online, Kids Help Phone has learned a lot about these risks from the kids themselves. Our counsellors are able to have a true dialogue with the kids. They can provide the most relevant information to children and youth who seek information about how to safely navigate their online relationships and activities and to reach out to those who may feel confused or have misstepped online.
Kids need a place to ask questions about their online activity without the fear that adults will take their technology away from them. That’s one reason they turn to Kids Help Phone. Adults who would like to learn more about strategies to help young people safely use the Internet may find the following resources helpful:
http://org.kidshelpphone.ca/en/media-centre/critical-issue-reports
Kids Help Phone has written a number of issue reports on the subject of online safety.
www.kidshelpphone.ca
In addition to our on-line and telephone counselling services, Kids Help Phone’s website provides games and interactive components as well as facts and resources that introduce kids to online risks and encourage them to take a critical eye to aspects of some risk factors they may have overlooked.
Danger Drive - No signal - How to block cyberbullies
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/index-eng.aspx
For comprehensive information about a variety of topics related to online safety and a link to report inappropriate internet activity.
http://personalweb.about.com/od/makefriendsonfacebook/a/faceteenprivacy.htm
Information on Security Settings on MySpace and Facebook
http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm
FBI’s guide to internet safety for kids
