Tools for parents

What can parents of 5 to 7 year old children do to help keep them safe?

• Provide a high level of supervision during activities offline and online.
• Explain to children that the Internet is a public place, like the store, the neighbourhood, the playground or going to someone's house. Set the expectation that you will always monitor them online to increase their safety.
• Explain to children what the Internet is and what it can be used for.
• Use parental controls on your computer.
• Limit the amount of time children spend online.
• Ensure children always get your permission before sharing personal information or accepting anything while on or offline. Teach them what is meant by personal information and where on the Internet they may be asked for it.
• Be careful not to overreact to mistakes, as they will interpret the reaction literally, feeling shame and worry.
• Model appropriate boundaries and re-establish boundaries when they are broken.
• Discuss "okay" and "not okay" touching.
• Teach the difference between Keep and Speak secrets (a Keep secret is harmless and will eventually come out, like a surprise party; a Speak secret is one that children are told to never tell and makes them feel uncomfortable, like someone showing them sexually explicit pictures). They need to tell a safe adult about Speak secrets.
• Help them build positive relationships with safe adults at home and at school (parent, aunt, grandparent, teacher, etc.).