TORONTO, Ont. – Toronto police urged parents and children Tuesday to be mindful of technology use, warning of long-lasting consequences when used irresponsibly.
The warning coincides with the 10th annual Safer Internet Day — a worldwide movement to promote safer use of technology.
Det.-Const. Michelle Bond of the Child Exploitation Unit said it is critical for children and teenagers to be vigilant when online.
Bond said the internet can provide children and teenagers with a sense of anonymity that makes them feel safe.
“They become more daring when they’re on the internet because they’re not seen and they’re not judged,” she said.
“People say things that they’re too shy to say in person.”
However, Bond said children and teenagers are usually unaware of the long-term repercussions of their actions online, which can include criminal charges.
“They’re affected emotionally, socially and sometimes criminally,” she said.
“We need to all work together to curb the rising numbers of these incidences.”
Bond said parents need to know what their children are doing online and remind them to be as careful in cyberspace as they would in the real world.
“The dangers out there are just like in the real world, where there are strangers,” she said.
“We try to teach our children not to talk to strangers. But it’s also there in the cyber world.”
Bond said children and teenagers should tell someone if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation online. If they don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents, they should speak to a teacher or the police.
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection partnered with law enforcement agencies and other professionals to develop a resource guide for parents, educators and teenagers on online safety as well as using smartphones safely and responsibly.