Feb. 7, 2011
Ministry of Education
PARENTS ENCOURAGED TO SURF ALONG FOR ONLINE SAFETY
VICTORIA – Safer Internet use is all about parental involvement: setting
guidelines, being involved and guiding your child in the online world the
same way you do in their everyday lives. In recognition of International
Safer Internet Day, Feb. 8, 2011, parents are encouraged to make sure
they are fully involved in their children’s Internet use.
– Educate yourself about the Internet. It’s important to be knowledgeable
about the Internet, because even if you don’t have a computer at home,
your child can access it at school, at a friend’s house, or at your
– Create a family agreement for Internet use, including hours of use,
which sites can be accessed and which ones shouldn’t be.
– Place your computer in a central, open location, like the living room,
so Internet use can be supervised.
Guiding your child online
– Look at the sites your child/teen visits. Be involved in their online
– Look into software or online services that filter out offensive
material. Check with your Internet service provider for any blocking
features they might offer.
– Consider installing a children’s search engine, there are many
– Create a special folder of “bookmarks” or “favourites” for your child
on your family’s computer.
Preserving your family’s privacy
– If you have a website, avoid putting your children’s pictures on it.
– Teach your children never to give out identifying information about any
family member. This includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email
addresses, passwords or credit card numbers.
– Encourage your child to tell you if anyone is asking for personal
– Teach your child that talking to a stranger on the Internet is no
different than talking to a stranger on the street.
Minimizing possible risks
– Talk to your children about potential online dangers such as giving out
personal information to strangers. Chat room acquaintances are strangers
and your child should never arrange to meet them in the real world unless
you give permission and/or know who they are.
– Better yet, if your children are young, steer them away from chat
rooms. Older children should only participate in chat rooms you approve
– If your child starts receiving phone calls from strangers or places
calls to people you don’t know, get to the bottom of it immediately.
– Tell your children that if someone harasses them online, says something
inappropriate, or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way they should
tell you, their teacher, or a trusted adult.
– Contact the police immediately if your child receives child
pornography, has been sexually solicited or has received sexually
explicit images from an adult.
In 2010, Safer Internet Day was celebrated through more than 500 events
in 65 countries all over the world. Safer Internet tips are available in
14 different languages at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sco/resources.htm.
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Education
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