Internet safety is more important than ever for children as they spent more time online, says the RCMP.
A press release from Okotoks RCMP is reminding parents that online safety for children and youth is increasingly important as COVID has shifted more activities and learning online, potentially unsupervised.
As children may want to spend more time online to connect with friends through live streaming, video chats, or online gaming, parents should be aware of the different apps and services through which they're posting, stated the press release.
It also recommends parents speak with their children about sending or receiving inappropriate photos and the legal consequences involved. This includes sending sexual photos or videos of anyone who is or appears to be under 18, saving them to their devices, or distributing them to others. It adds that once a photo or video is sent, it is nearly impossible to control who sees or shares it.
Some tips for parents provided by the RCMP include:
- Have regular conversations about online safety, including discussing online games children are playing and apps they are using
- Setting an expectation that parents will monitor children's online activities and setting guidelines around texting, social media, live-streaming, and gaming
- Become familiar with or revisit parental controls on computers, phones, and tablets. For older teens, know their usernames and passwords as well as email addresses used to sign up for accounts
- Talk with children about coming forward if they come across something or someone while chatting or messaging that makes them feel uncomfortable
- Talk with children about not posting or providing personal information to anyone online, such as date of birth, address, phone number, or school.
