As young people embrace technology and the Internet, they become exposed to a wide range of information, pictures and videos or chat rooms. If they have not developed critical-thinking skills, are unsupervised, or have created unmonitored Web sites, they can be at risk of unknowingly communicating with spammers or predators.

Below are potential online risks to be aware of. Practise safe Internet surfing with your children. The Quick Links to the right link to credible Web sites containing useful information for parents, guardians and teachers.

Resouces for parents, guardians, and teachers

URL	Description
www.deal.org	Visit deal.org to learn about teen culture
www.internet101.org	Visit Internet101.org to learn about the Internet and all its parts
www.cybertip.ca	Canada's national cyber tipline for reporting online abuse
www.netsmartz.org	A great resource for Internet safety tips for kids and teens
www.inhope.org	Facilitates co-operation between Internet hotline providers

Potential online risks

Exposure to inappropriate material

A child may be exposed to inappropriate material that is sexual, hateful, or violent in nature, or encourages activities that are dangerous or illegal. Children could seek out such material but may also come across it on the Web via chat areas, email, or even instant messaging if they’re not looking for it.

Physical molestation

A child might provide information or arrange an encounter that could risk his or her safety or the safety of other family members. In some cases child molesters have used chat areas, email, and instant messages to gain a child’s confidence and then arrange a face-to-face meeting.

Harassment and bullying A child might encounter messages via chat, email, or their cellular telephones that are belligerent, demeaning, or harassing. Bullies, typically other young people, often use the Internet to bother their victims. Viruses and hackers A child could download a file containing a virus that could damage the computer or increase the risk of a hacker gaining remote access to the computer; jeopardizing the family’s privacy; and, perhaps, jeopardizing the family’s safety.

Legal and financial

A child could do something that has negative legal or financial consequences such as giving out a parent’s credit card number or doing something that violates another person’s rights. While children need a certain amount of privacy, they also need parental involvement. Legal issues aside, children should be taught good “netiquette” which means to avoid being inconsiderate, mean, or rude.

Popular online activities for children

www.facebook.com - Social network Web site

Risk: The possibility of harmful persons openly contacting and speaking with childern

www.myspace.com - Social network Web site

Risk: The possibility of harmful persons openly contacting and speaking with childern

www.youtube.com - User submitted videos

Risk: The possibility of inappropriate videos and content

www.ebaumsworld.com - User submitted videos

Risk: The possibility of inappropriate videos and content

MSN, Yahoo Messenger / ICQ / AIM / Jabber - Chat programs

Risk: The possibility of harmful persons openly contacting and speaking with childern