Online Safety

COVID SUPPORT/ONLINE SAFETY

Student Online Safety

Using online platforms and tools is an excellent way to continue learning remotely and to interact and communicate with teachers and classmates. However, it is important to protect your personal safety when online by following the rules and guidelines outlined below:

• Never reveal information about your personal identity (such as your name, address, phone number, age, physical description or school) to strangers whom you may encounter online. Likewise, do not reveal such information in a public online forum where you may not know everyone who might see the information.
• Never reveal personal information online about someone else unless you have their prior permission and you know the information will not be used for harmful purposes.
• Never reveal your access password or that of anyone else.
• Never send a picture of yourself, another person or a group over an electronic network without prior informed permission of all the individuals involved and, in the case of minors, their parents or guardians.
• Report immediately to a teacher any message or request that you receive that bothers you or that suggests personal contact with you.
• Never publish the specific dates, times and locations of where you might be at any given time to people who are not directly entitled to such information or to public forums where unknown persons might access the information.

Additional Resources

Canadian Centre for Child Protection

The Canadian Centre offers information about the ever-changing online interests of children, the potential risks they face, and proactive strategies to help keep children and adolescents safe while online.

Toronto Police Service – Internet Safety and Kid Safety Zone

The Toronto Police Services site outlines some of the risks and security issues involved in the use of the internet. It also provides online tips for kids and parents.