Resources: Internet safety
On this page
Lesson plan
To request a ready-to-use lesson plan on online safety for grades 6 to 8 students, please email cycp_cpcj@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
The plan includes engaging activities and conversation starters to help educate youth on:
- safe and informed online behaviour
- related laws
- how to protect themselves
- how to report issues they may encounter online
Self-assessment
Internet Safety: My Online World
Interacting online is very different from interacting face-to-face. Take this Self-Assessment to determine how much you know about the online world. Knowing what and how much to share online is key to protecting your personal information and staying safe in the online world.
- 1. Before signing up for a new website, do you read the privacy settings and terms of agreement?
- Of course, I like to know exactly what I'm getting into and what information I'm letting the website use and distribute.
- I usually quickly skim over them and then click "I agree."
- If I want to sign-up, I'll have to agree anyway - so, where do I sign?
- 2. How often do you change your password?
- I change all of my passwords every couple of months.
- I don't do it that often, but I will if I suspect that I got hacked.
- My memory isn't the best so I've kept the same one for as long as I can remember.
- 3. Do you use the same password for all your online accounts?
- No, I never do that.
- I use different versions of the same password for all of my accounts.
- I only ever use one password, that way I'll never forget it!
- 4. Once something is posted on the Internet, I can delete it and remove it forever, right?
- No, it can always be found!
- It depends on the website, but there are certain things you can delete.
- If there is a delete button, you can totally delete it.
- 5. How do you know which websites are reliable when you are doing research?
- I look for ones that have credibility and usually end in .net, .org, .edu, .gc .ca.
- As soon as I see the same information on more than one website, I know that it must be an accurate statement.
- If it was posted and published on the Internet, it must be accurate!
- 6. Should you be posting or sharing pictures online with people?
- I share pictures on my social media but restrict them only for my friends to see.
- If I post pictures, it's just to get as many likes as possible.
- I love posting selfies and funny pictures! I often delete them when I don't want anyone to see them anymore.
- 7. What personal information should I not post online?
- I never post my full name, school, date of birth, or home address. Identity theft happens all the time.
- I post everything except my full name.
- I generally post whatever I want; I'm not scared of sharing too much because there will always be someone who shares more than me.
- 8. Who should I give my passwords to?
- I only give my passwords to my parents/guardians, because I trust them.
- I would only give it to one or two of my very best friends.
- I have friends who do not have certain social media accounts, so I'll give them my password so they can be in the loop.
- 9. When installing new programs on your computer or phone, what precautions do you take?
- I make sure the program comes from a credible source. I look at the permissions and add-ons that it may install to understand what the program may do.
- I have an anti-virus installed, and that protects me.
- I don't pay close to attention to what I install.
Interactive learning tools
Online educational activities, games and quizzes to help teach children and youth about online safety, media and digital literacy.
- Zoe and Molly (Canadian Centre for Child Protection)
- Educational games for youth (Media Smarts)
Reporting and support tools
- Needhelpnow.ca
- Helping youth deal with and stop the spread of sexual pictures or videos online.
- Cybertip.ca
- Canada's tip line to report the online sexual exploitation of children.
More resources
- Get Cyber Safe (Government of Canada)
- Information on what you can do to help youth and your family stay safe online.
- MediaSmarts
- Digital and media literacy resources to help youth develop critical thinking skills and become informed digital citizens.
- Canadian Centre for Child Protection
- Information on the ever-changing digital world and how to help keep youth safe online.
- ProtectKidsOnline.ca
- Information on trends, risks and strategies to help parents and guardians keep youth safe online.
- Date modified: