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By Liam Verster
Safer Internet Day

Parents urged to be aware of children’s online activity as part of Safer Internet Day

Feb 9, 2021 | 10:22 AM

February 9 is Safer Internet Day, and Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams’ (ALERT) Internet Child Exploitation unit (ICE) is using the day to ask parents to be more aware of their children’s activities online.

In 2020, ICE saw a record 2,100 new investigations launched, which is more that 50 per cent from the previous year.

These cases led to 127 arrests and 399 charges laid across Alberta.

“The pandemic has produced new standards of social engagement and digital learning, but we must confront the dark reality that there is no shortage of online predators looking to exploit and harm your children,” said ALERT CEO Superintendent Dwayne Lakusta in a release.

Though ICE’s work is ongoing, the unit is calling on parents to also help monitor their children’s activities.

“Policing the internet is an impossible task. By the time our unit gets involved the offence has already happened, and that’s why we are trying to get parents to play a more proactive role in protecting their children,” said Sergeant Kerry Shima.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (CCCP), which is a national charity dedicated to the personal safety of all children, has a number of resources for parents and youth to prevent unwanted interactions.

The CCCP also has a number of tips to offer parents, including:

  • Online activities should always be supervised by a parent or adult.
  • Teach your child to check with you before texting/messaging/chatting with anyone.
  • Explain to children that if someone messages them, to come tell you or a safe adult right away and before replying.
  • Reinforce the idea that not everyone is who they say they are online, as people can pretend to be older or younger than in real life, and may misuse information, photos or videos that are shared with them.
  • Tell children that if they come across something while messaging someone that makes them feel uncomfortable that it’s best to tell a parent or adult, and that they won’t be punished if they tell the truth.
  • Explain to children that if someone asks them something ‘weird’ then to stop talking with the person and tell an adult what happened.

Along with promoting open conversations during Safer Internet Day, ICE asks that anyone with information about online child exploitation offences to contact the local police, or submit a report through cybertip.

by Liam Verster