THINK about cyber security for children

The OPP want parents’ help to protect children and youth from cyber bullies, predators, and other threats crawling around on the World Wide Web.

The THINK Test is the first step that police and cybersecurity experts recommend everyone keep in mind when they are online, whether browsing and updating their social media pages, sending emails, or surfing the Internet as part of their personal and business research work.

“If it doesn’t pass the THINK Test,” states an OPP information release, “you may be unwittingly igniting negative interactions for many or even breaking the law.”

THINK stands for: True? Hurtful? Illegal? Necessary? and Kind? Police recommend that anyone posting items online or downloading something from the Net first consider whether what they are doing may be contrary to any one or all of the standards of the THINK Test and fall under the heading of being a cyber bully, aiding by accident an online predator, or contributing to identity theft or some other cyber crime.

Parents and guardians, including teachers and caregivers, are urged to make children and youth also aware of the THINK Test and to use it when they are online, doing homework research or interacting with friends through social media. More information on cyberprotection is available at www.getcybersafe.gc.ca.

Le PPO continue de sensibiliser les parents quant à l’importance d’encourager les enfants à adopter des pratiques sécuritaires lorsqu’ils consultent Internet.