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Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Cyber safety for parents, guardians, caregivers, and teachers

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While experimenting with technology is a natural part of growing up in the digital age, it's important to ensure tech-savvy teens are developing their cyber skills in safe, legal, and responsible ways.

By understanding why and how young people get involved in cybercrime, parents, guardians, caregivers, and teachers can help keep kids on the right side of the law.

Report it!

If you are a victim or witness to a cybercrime, fraud or scams, please report it to:

How do young people get involved in cybercrime?

Technology is a part of everyday life for young Canadians. From gaming and coding, to connecting with friends online, digital spaces present exciting opportunities to learn, play, and grow. But there are a number of factors that can lead to risky online behaviour, including cybercrime:

  • Curiosity and experimentation may lead tech-savvy youth to cross legal boundaries online, even if they don't realize what they are doing is illegal
  • Youth may be influenced by online groups and forums that glamorize hacking or illegal challenges. These can make cybercrime look like a game or a way to prove their skills
  • Many young cyber offenders have been victimized online by other youth, cyber bullies or cybercriminals in the past. Some respond by seeking revenge, ultimately engaging in cyber deviance or crime themselves
  • In the online gaming community, the lines between "just having fun" and "breaking the law" can get blurred
  • Unfortunately, some young people are directly targeted and recruited by cybercriminal gangs. They are often tempted by promises of quick money or online status

Note

Some young people don't know that certain online actions, like trying to break into accounts or systems, are crimes with serious consequences.

The path to positive cyber choices

The good news? With the proper awareness, education and supervision young people can safely navigate online spaces and make the most of what the internet has to offer. Some positive cyber choices include:

  • learning about online laws and consequences
  • seeking out legitimate challenges through coding clubs, competitions, or cybersecurity programs
  • talking openly with parents, teachers, or mentors about online activities

Whether pursuing careers in the tech sector or simply using the internet in responsible ways, we can all help build safer, stronger online communities. Be a cyber defender, not a cyber offender!

Prevention tips

Be open about online behaviour

  • Remind your kids that just because they are online doesn't mean they are anonymous
  • Ask whether their behaviour online would be acceptable in person
  • Emphasize that offences like cybercrime and fraud have real impacts on real victims
  • Encourage them to tell you about any suspicious activity they witness online
  • Consider the use of technology to monitor online activity and protect your kids from online harms

Discuss the real-world consequences of cybercrime

Without proper guidance, tech-savvy youth may be tempted to use their skills illegally, often without realizing they're committing a crime. That's why it's important to have an open discussion on the consequences of committing crimes online, which can include:

  • a visit and warning from police
  • the seizure of computers and limited/restricted internet access
  • being arrested and charged
  • a penalty or fine
  • a criminal record
  • serious impacts to educational and career prospects
  • restrictions on overseas travel
  • prison time

Note

For more information on cyber-related offences, refer to the Criminal Code and visit "Cybercrime and the Criminal Code" for specific examples of what these infractions can look like.

Discuss positive applications of cyber skills

  • Encourage youth to pursue their interest in technology, armed with the knowledge of how to do so in a safe and productive way. Seek positive mentors to work with your child (just as they would have coaches to develop them in sports) to help them develop their skills
  • Look into "ethical hacking" challenges near you. These events simulate real-world cyber attacks to train participants in identifying vulnerabilities and protecting digital systems. They offer valuable experience for anyone looking to use their hacking skills for good
  • Promote balance between physical and cyber activities to avoid excessive screen time and unhealthy habits
  • Encourage youth to apply their skills in coding, gaming, and other digital activities to a career in the cyber sector
    • The average salary in Canada's information and communications technology sector was 54.2% higher than the national average in 2023, as reported by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, with higher salaries for more specialized roles
    • These skills are not only in high demand in Canada, but around the world. A career in the cyber space could lead to exciting opportunities abroad

Resources for teachers

Teachers can help prevent cybercrime in the classroom. There are many online resources to help guide discussions on digital stewardship and ethical internet behavior for multiple grade levels:

More resources

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