Internet safety and Security
Before you start looking for information check out the Be Web Aware website for tips on how to search for information in a safe family environment. Click on Kid Friendly Search Engines for some child-friendly websites.
There are some easy rules for kids to follow to stay safe on the Internet. Here are a couple from the Canada Safety Council:
"I will not give out any personal information online without my parents' permission; this includes my name, phone number, address, e-mail, location of my school, my parents' work address/ telephone and credit card numbers, and my picture."
"This goes for anywhere on the Internet, including e-mail, chat rooms, newsgroups - even websites that promise me free stuff or prizes, or on Web pages that I make myself. I will not send an insulting or rude message to anyone online. This is called "flaming" and it is not good Netiquette."
To learn about the hazards and how to stay safe, check out these websites:
Government of Canada: Public Safety - a one-stop site with reliable information on safety in Canada. This link will bring you to the Internet Safety section
Canada Safety Council - this website has a section on Internet safety that talks about the issues and dangers for children, gives kids a set of rules to keep them safe online, and links to other safety sites
Virus Protection
You can get antivirus protection from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).