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Online: How to stay safe

The online world has its advantages and risks. Children and young people in Eeyou Istchee are more connected online than ever – social media, phone applications, gaming, the list goes on. Teaching our youth and families what to look out for and how to manage their safety online will empower them to stay out of harm.

 

Girl gaming on computer

Did you know?

The children of the 2020s are online more than any generation before them. Everything from their phones, TVs, and their gaming systems connect to the internet. 

Since kids are online more than ever, it’s important that they know how to use the internet safely. There are simple practices kids can learn today to prepare them for a lifetime of cyber security.  

5 Tips to protect your privacy online

  1. Think before you post! Think about the photos, comments, messages, and videos you post online, before you or your parents post them. 
  2. Remember that things you post and share may not be private.  Remember that people can copy things online and send them to other people. 
  3. Know who your friends are.  If you don’t know someone in person, then you can’t be sure who that person is online. 
  4. Protect your privacy with passwords.  Learn how to make strong passwords and don’t share them with other people. 
  5. Respect your friends.  Ask if it is okay to share a photo or video of someone else before you or a parent post it. Don’t say mean things about other people online.  
Man on iPad

Phishing isn’t just for adults

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a tactic that cyber criminals use to steal personal and financial information from their targets. It’s one of the most common cyber threats to Canadians today. While phishing typically happens over email or text messages (which is called smishing), it can happen just about anywhere online. 

Even if they’re too young for their own cell phone or email address, children can be targeted by scammers pretending to be other players in video games and friends on messaging apps. They can also be targeted on social media apps like YouTube or TikTok.

Phishing messages might include: 

  • Offers of prizes in exchange for personal information 
  • Links to malware disguised as “free” games or add-on content (in-game items usually purchased with real-world money) 
  • Requests for personal information disguised in a fun way (“Did you know that your superhero name is your mother’s maiden name plus the street you live on? Post yours!”) 

Knowing how technology works doesn’t protect you from phishing.

Stay alert and teach kids to be wary of requests for information, no matter how good the offer is or how innocent the request sounds.  

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