THUNDER BAY – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are commemorating Safer Internet Day 2011 by urging young people and their guardians to recognize the risks associated with the wonders presented by the online world.
Safer Internet Day is an international effort to raise awareness of the vulnerability of young people through their activities on the internet, through email, and with cell phones. The theme for Safer Internet Day 2011 is “It’s more than a game, it’s your life.”
As part of Safer Internet Day 2011, Corus Entertainment’s youth television channel, YTV, has continued its valued partnership with the OPP and the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet. YTV is launching the third in a series of interactive internet safety games. “Dr. Frantic’s Cyber Saf-e-Drills 3: Franticball” is an online game on YTV.com where players can only continue by successfully answering cyber-safety questions. YTV is also reinforcing the safety messages on-air through several animated infomercials and live host mentions of the game and other available resources.
The OPP reminds parents and young people that the internet is a wonderful tool when used wisely. In order to better protect their children from online predators, parents can:
- Be involved and know your child’s online activity
- Keep the computer in an open area of the home
- Remind children to protect their passwords; encourage them not to share passwords with friends
- Use caution with web cams, unplug web cams when they’re not in use and;
- Be sure of whom they’re talking to before allowing them to turn on a web cam Make sure children are cautious with what they post online
- Know their child’s online friends the same way they know friends in real life.
“The Internet provides excellent learning opportunities for children. But it opens another door to those who would exploit and victimize them. The OPP and our various partners are committed to providing the information young people and parents need to understand the risks as children learn and play in the online world, such as cyber-bullying and exploitation,” shares OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis.
“Internet luring is a serious crime that puts our children’s safety at risk. We all have an important job to do to make the internet a safer environment, where kids can not only chat with friends and get help with homework, but also access useful and educational information that helps them grow as individuals,” states, Jim Bradley, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
