Child / Youth Internet Safety

Did You Know?

  • 55% of youths gave out personal information to someone they don’t know, including photos and physical descriptions 
  • 65% of youths have shared a password with someone else 

  • 75% of youths would share personal information about themselves and their family in exchange for goods and services 

  • 23% of youths surveyed reported to have formed close friendships with persons met online - 7% of those offered assistance to run away
  • 70% of cybersex incidents occurred while the youths were at home - 49% of these youths did not tell anyone, even when the incident became aggressive
  • 65% of 8-14 year-olds have been involved in a cyberbullying incident
  • 70% of kids encounter sexual or violent content online while doing homework research
  • 45% of teens are online on a near-constant basis
  • Each year, approximately one in five children is sexually solicited online
  • Only 2% of these incidents were reported to the police
  • Teenager's risk for depression jumps 27% when he or she frequently uses social media

What You Can Do

  • Check the history function for sites that have been visited
  • Keep the computer in a room that is occupied by all members of the family
  • Limit time spent on the computer
  • Look at the screen to see what your child is viewing
  • Report all inappropriate material
  • Tell your child:
    • Do not chat with strangers
    • Do not give out address / telephone / school information or any private information
    • Do not make arrangements to meet anyone you met online
    • Do not say anything on the Internet that should not be said in public
  • Use Internet parental controls

Source: https://safeatlast.co/blog/kids-online-safety/#gref

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