With the number of children online, parents need to be monitoring what sites they’re on and what apps they’re using.
RCMP Community Program Officer Lisa Williams says ensure you educate yourself. Unfortunately there are sometimes predators behind those programs.
“Kids younger and younger are on the internet. The big ones right now are Instagram and SnapChat and if your child is online, they are going to see things, hear things or post things that are going to affect them.”
Williams says it is important that you talk to your kids. Cyberbullying is a major issue right now, because they are able to hide behind the Internet.
“Let them know that you are interested in what they are doing, what they are reading, and maybe you’ll find one that you think will be good for your child. The Internet is not going away. It is a great tool when it is used properly, but the communication is a big piece,” Williams says.
Williams goes into the elementary schools to educate the kids on the dangers online, and she says she has heard things that are frightening, “Some kids are getting phones at the age of 7, and they don’t understand the dangers out there. I just did a talk recently in a middle school. Many are meeting people through the gaming, and I actually had one child admit to me that they have met these people in person.”
A list of resources for kids and parents can be found HERE
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