The OPP is supporting International Safer Internet Day and cyber safety awareness by encouraging young people and their families to T.H.I.N.K b4 U Send, to ensure their safety in the online world.
International Safer Internet Day is today. It was created to promote safer and more responsible use of technology, especially among children and young people around the world. The theme for Safer Internet Day 2016 is “Play your part for a better internet”.
One of the growing concerns associated with the Internet and mobile devices include cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying happens when people use computers, cellphones or other devices to embarrass, humiliate, torment, threaten or harass someone else. With the rapid advances in technologies, cyberbullying is happening to more and more people every day.
Another increasing concern is the issue of self/peer exploitation.
Also known as “sexting”, this behaviour is commonly defined as youth creating, sending or sharing sexual images and/or videos with peers via the Internet, social media sites and/or electronic devices.
The OPP is encouraging everyone to apply the T.H.I.N.K test before posting or sending a cyber message or photo. If it doesn’t pass the T.H.I.N.K test you may be breaking the law.
Ask yourself:
T. is it true?
H. is it hurtful?
I. is it illegal?
N. is it necessary?
K. is it kind?
The OPP will be supporting cyber safety awareness by sharing messages and resources and encouraging followers to be part of the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtags #SID2016, #Up2Us and #OPPtips.
“The online risks youth face are increasingly difficult to manage,” said Signy Arnason, Director of Cybertip.ca. “For parents, the need for reliable and current educational resources to help better understand these issues and how to increase their teen’s skills and safety is crucial. We want to ensure Canadians know about our important Internet safety resources and that we are here to help keep kids safe.”
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, through Cybertip.ca, is encouraging the public to get involved and help create a safer Internet:
- TALK TO YOUR TEEN using the resources at SaferInternetDay.caabout ways to be safe online
- STAY INFORMED about concerning technology trends by signing up to receiveCybertip.ca ALERTS
- RAISE AWARENESS on social media by tweeting and posting about Safer Internet Day using the hashtags #SID2016 and #PlayMyPart or by sharing the Canadian Centre’s tweets and posts
- REPORT concerns about youth being sexually exploited online to Cybertip.ca
Useful links:
http://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/
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