Parents are being encouraged to recognize Safer Internet Day, which promotes safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones.

Safer Internet Day is slated for today (Feb. 7) and the Greater Sudbury Police Service said the recent arrest of a 42-year-old man who lured a child over the Internet to meet for a sexual purpose emphasizes the importance of parents getting involved in children’s online safety.

This year's theme for Safer Internet Day will be centred around connecting generations and educating each other, with the slogan: “Discover the digital world together... safely,” according to the website saferinternetday.org.

The online world is a unique arena where people of all ages can learn together and from each other, especially regarding online safety. Tech-savvy youngsters can teach their elders how to use new technologies, while grandparents can draw on their life experiences to advise younger generations on how to stay safe online, as they discover the digital world together.

The province is also offering parents some helpful tips to help keep everyone safe online.

While the Internet can be a great resource for learning and socializing, children and their parents should be fully aware of its potential dangers, including privacy issues, online safety and cyber-bullying.

Here are some tips to help promote safe, responsible online behaviour:
- Encourage your teen to let you know if they come across material or receive messages that make them feel uncomfortable or threatened.
- Report threatening or inappropriate messages to the police and your Internet service provider.
- Get to know which websites your teenager visits the most and visit them yourself to ensure there is no offensive or questionable content.
- Make sure your teenager has adjusted the privacy settings on their social networking accounts so that only friends can see their photos, comments or any information they post.
- Remind your teenager that anything posted on a social networking site can be seen by anyone -- parents, teachers or future bosses.
- Remind your child to get permission from others, including friends, before posting pictures of them on social networking sites.
-Remind them to be safe and responsible online: they should not use the Internet to spread gossip, bully or threaten others. When teens stay safe and treat each other respectfully online, they contribute to a more positive school climate.

Another way the province is keeping children and youth safe is through the Accepting School Act, which, if passed, would take a “strong stand against bullying in schools,” including cyber-bullying, according to a news release, which also stated creating safer, more accepting schools is part of the province's plan to support student success while securing a brighter future for all Ontarians.

“My two boys won't know a world without online resources like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, so I share parents' concerns about online safety,” Minister of Education Laurel Broten said, in the news release. “It is our responsibility as parents to make sure our children use these resources safely and appropriately.”

Visit saferinternetday.org for more information and to download SID promotional materials and resources.

Furthermore, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (CCCP) has created a unique, one-stop Internet safety website, The Door that’s Not Locked, to help parents, teachers and anyone else with children in their lives learn about ways to keep kids safe on the Internet.

The CCCP has also created a mobile safety website to help educate parents about the potential risks posed to children and youth using cellphones and to highlight proactive strategies that can be used to help keep them safe.

For more comprehensive safety information, visit www.thedoorthatsnotlocked.ca and www.mobility.protectchildren.ca.


Quick Facts

- On Nov. 30, 2011, the province introduced the Accepting Schools Act, which, if passed, will require all school boards to take preventative measures against bullying, issue tougher consequences for bullying, and support students who want to promote understanding and respect for all.
- Since 2004, the McGuinty government has invested more than $285 million in its Safe Schools Strategy.
- Kids Help Phone is a toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual and completely anonymous phone counselling, web counselling and referral service for children and youth.

Posted by Arron Pickard