KAWARTHA LAKES-October is cyber awareness month and the OPP is ebracing the opportunity to educate young people about the dangers of online interactions.
“Cyber Security Awareness Month showcases OPP members’ hard work every day to ensure the safety of communities and the young people who live in their actual neighbourhoods and their virtual worlds. But we need help from families, our community partners and stakeholders year-round to effectively ward off the potential harmful impacts of the many cyber threats in today’s environment.” said Deputy Commissioner Rick BARNUM, OPP Investigations and Organized Crime
It’s a whole new world out there and the schoolyard bully is the least of a parents worries. Threats to children in the virtual world include online entertainment, games and contests, predators posing as young people through social networking sites, applications along with downloading and file sharing.
Police say criminal behaviours are also complicating the security and enjoyment of electronic devices and online hangouts, including cyberbullying and ‘sexting’.
Inspector Robyn MacEACHERN, OPP Community Safety Services says “Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk to their children. Teach them about the potential risks they may encounter when using the Internet, social media, email and their mobile devices. Make them aware that they can trust you and that they shouldn’t deal with any threats to their safety alone.”
Cyberbullying happens when computers, cellphones or other devices are used to embarrass, humiliate, torment, threaten or harass someone else. Officially known as self-peer exploitation, “sexting” involves creating, sending or sharing sexual images and/or videos with peers via the Internet, social media sites and/or electronic devices.
The OPP encourages everyone to apply the “THINK test” before launching a message, photo or video file into cyberspace. Ask yourself if it is:
- True?
- Hurtful?
- Illegal?
- Necessary?
- Kind?
If it doesn’t pass the “THINK test”, you may be unwittingly igniting negative interactions for many or even breaking the law.
 photo credit: wuestenigel Besucher testen neue PCs und Notebooks für Gamer von Medion via photopin (license)
