Online safety tips over spring break & beyond

Kids are out of school for spring break and may be spending more time on devices like smartphones and laptops.

To ensure children and  youth are staying safe online, parents and caregivers are encouraged to stay informed about potential online dangers and speak with their children about responsible device use.

There are a number of online resources for to learn about possible online harms, including Cybertip, Protect Kids Online and the provincial government’s own parent guide to raising digitally responsible youth.

In addition, Surrey Schools has its own a fact sheet on internet safety that may be useful in discussing these issues with your child, which includes tips such as:

• Getting to know the online environments, websites and apps your children use and teach them how to deal with inappropriate material.
   
• Talking to them about the implications of posting or sharing inappropriate pictures, saying disparaging things about other people and anything else that could damage a reputation, ruin a friendship, or even be illegal.
   
• Reminding them that the Internet is a public space. Things they say or post now on social networking sites could have implications in the future, such as when they're looking for a job.
   
• Reminding them to never give out identifying information such as home address, school name or phone number unless the person is somebody your child knows in person.

For more information on how to educate and protect yourself online, please see the following resources:

• PSST (Protecting Surrey Schools Together) – A district-run student and family website where harmful behaviour (online or otherwise) can be anonymously reported, and you can also find information about online bullying and other possible internet crime.
    
• Cybertip – Government-endorsed online resource and tip line for families to learn about online harms how to avoid them and who to contact regarding online concerns.
    
• Protect Kids Online – Government-endorsed resource sites designed for educating parents on navigating digital landscapes with their child, listing emerging issues and trends and what to do when faced with concerning behaviours.
    
• Erase Cyberbullying – The B.C. Government’s resource guide on parenting in a digital world, complete with parent and teacher tips.
    
• Sextortion: It's a scam. It's trending. You can make it stop! – RCMP release on how to navigate sextortion scams. 

Stay safe and have a wonderful spring break!