Saskatchewan RCMP: Important online safety reminders for children and parents/guardians

The Saskatchewan RCMP is aware that there is information circulating concerning the existence of online challenges targeting youth, encouraging them to perform harmful practices and dangerous tasks.

At this time, we have not received any complaints relating to any online challenges in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction; however, it is important for parents and guardians to report anything suspicious or concerning that their child encounters online.

If someone has something to report, they are asked to call their local police service or RCMP Detachment.

The following things can help keep youth safe when navigating online or on social media platforms:

• Be careful of giving out too much personal information and remember that the information that you put on your profile can be seen by everyone, even if your account/profile is set to private.

Your personal information/image(s) may be used in ways that you never intended.

• Photos posted online are not private property and anything you upload online can be shared by others, potentially with thousands of people, within hours of your posting.

It’s also easy to alter an image using photo editing software.

• Remember that once you post something online, you can’t control who that information is shared with – and removing it from wherever you posted it doesn’t permanently remove it from the internet.

• Tell someone, like a parent, guardian or trusted adult, if something online is making you concerned or uncomfortable.

Your safety is important and an adult will be able to provide you with guidance.

Here are a few reminders for parents and guardians:

• Take an interest in what your children are doing online.

• Talk openly with your children about online safety and educate them on the risks of online interactions.

• Make sure the protection features of websites and software your children use are activated. There are tools available through your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to help you manage your children's online experience (i.e. appropriate websites, amount of time spent online, who can and cannot contact them). It might also include other security features, such as pop-up ad blockers.

• Get to know the online environments your children use and teach them how to deal with inappropriate material.

• Stay in the know about the latest ways children are communicating and what they're up to when they're at friends' houses.

• Keep an eye on the sites they're visiting by keeping the computer in a common area like the kitchen.

• Report anything suspicious or concerning that your child encounters online - contact your local police service or RCMP Detachment.

• We will be sharing these safety reminders on our social media properties and are encouraging our followers to share them.

Facebook: @SaskatchewanRCMP / @GrcEnSaskatchewan

Twitter: @RCMPSK / @GRCSASK