INTERNET SAFETY FOR KIDS: ONLINE RESOURCES

Worried about your child’s online safety? As you know, many kids are confident that they know how to be safe online. However, there are a few reasons kids are often more at risk. They may not always think about the consequences of their actions, which can cause them to share too much information about themselves. You can help keep your kids safe by talking to them about their Internet use, teaching them about online dangers, and learning everything you can about the Internet so you can make informed decisions.

In order to help parents, teachers and early childhood educators learn more about online safety and how to better protect children from online predators, we have put together the following list of programs and online resources provided by various organizations including the The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, a registered charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children. Their goal is to reduce child victimization by providing programs and services to Canadians through public awareness activities, four national programs and various resources for children of all ages.
For a full list of their programs and activities, please visit their Overview Webpage.

The GCF Learn Free
If you’re a parent or guardian, the GCF Learn Free’s “Tutorial on Internet Safety for Kids” provides internet safety tips to help you talk to your children about their Internet use, teach them about online dangers, and learn everything you can about the Internet so you can make informed decisions. The tutorial includes specifics on understanding file-sharing networks and even how to use social networks safely.
For the full tutorial, visit GCF Learn Free.

The Door That’s Not Locked
This comprehensive Internet Safety website features age-specific information on what kids are doing online, the risks associated with these activities, and age-appropriate tips for parents and educators on how to keep children safe.  Here, you’ll find a variety of resources and tools that will help you keep your child safer while they’re exploring and enjoying the online world. From learning what online activities are popular and how your child uses them, to discovering ways to talk to your child about healthy versus unhealthy relationships, this website will give you the important information you need.
For more information, please visit: The Door that’s not Locked

Zoe and Molly Online
The Zoe and Molly Online website provides information to help parents and educators teach children 8 to 10 years of age about the risks associated with playing games online and sharing their personal information and pictures online. Children can learn through special online games that allow them to create their very own avatar and complete an interactive comic book that helps teach them how to stay safe while adventuring through the online world.
For more information, please visit: Zoe and Molly Online

Kids in the Know
Kids in the Know is an interactive safety education program for increasing the personal safety of children and youth from Kindergarten to High School. The purpose of the program is to reduce child/youth victimization online by teaching effective personal safety strategies.
For more information, please visit: Kids in the Know.

Teatree Tells: A Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Kit
The Teatree Tells kit is designed for children four to six years of age. Lessons are age-appropriate, fun and include an animated character (Teatree the Turtle) to help teach children how to be safe. Topics include lessons on identifying safe adults, identifying feelings, naming body parts, establishing personal boundaries, and okay and not okay touching.
For more information, please visit Teatree Tells.

Be Strong, Smart & Safe
Recognizing the challenges in discussing the issue of child sexual abuse, this initiative helps teachers and parents educate children in Grades 5 and 6 about this subject in an empowering way.  Through a myriad of fun activities, children learn how to identify inappropriate behaviour, and how to talk to a safe adult when something makes them feel uncomfortable.
For more information, please visit: Be Strong, Smart & Safe

Cyber Tip
Cybertip.ca is Canada’s tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. In addition to accepting and forwarding child sexual exploitation reports to law enforcement, Cybertip.ca provides education and awareness material to help keep Canadians safe. Prevention material is developed in conjunction with public reports to the tipline and research on effective education strategies.
For more information, please visit Cyber Tip.