Children with disabilities may have a difficult time recognizing threatening or inappropriate behaviour online and are at higher risk of being cyberbullied or victimized. With an ever-evolving landscape, it is important to stay informed and up to date about what your child and their peers may be doing online. We have gathered some resources to help parents and caregivers navigate the online world and support their children to learn healthy habits, how to spot danger and how to stay safe.
Help promote safe and secure interactions The Crisis Prevention Institute has some great tips for parents and caregivers that help promote safe and secure online interactions for children, especially those with disabilities. Learn how to make your home network more secure, ways to limit access to age-inappropriate content, what information kids shouldn’t share online and how to talk about the dangers of ‘sexting’.
Online Interests and risk factors by age categories Protect Kids Online is a one-stop website for parents and caregivers of kids, preteens and teenagers. Up to date information on cyber safety is broken down by age category (5-7, 8-10, 11-12, 13-15) and covers various interests and types of online activity, such as social media sites, online gaming, livestreaming, video sharing sites, apps and search engine use. The site also includes information on how to report inappropriate content, behaviour or potential crimes.
Home Alone Safety Course Online safety is a key component of both the virtual, live classes and the self-paced, parent taught version of SOS 4 Kids ‘Home Alone Safety Course’. This paid course is designed for kids between 9-12 who are learning about and preparing for the responsibility of being at home alone. The course also covers street smarts and road safety, at home safety, home fire safety, accident prevention and people safety.
Video – Responsible Use of Technology for Kids The internet is a world full of possibility – but it also has rules and responsibilities. This complication of educational videos helps children understand how to avoid cyberbullying, how to use mobile devices responsibility, what fake news is and how to spot it as well as protecting their privacy online.
CPI’s Podcast program ‘Unrestrained’ Episode 21 of the CPI’s Podcast program ‘Unrestrained’ features Sue Scheff, a passionate cyber advocate who has been victim of cyber stalking and online harassment. Sue discusses why children don’t tell their parents about cyber bullying, how to talk to kids about ‘digital citizenship’ and why teaching children about positive online behaviour is as important to their future as potty training.
Family Online Safety Institute’s ‘Good Digital Parenting toolkit The UK based Family Online Safety Institute’s ‘Good Digital Parenting toolkit and resource centre provides parents and caregivers with the information they need to confidently navigate the online world with their families – from preschoolers to grandparents. There are videos, tip sheets, step by step guides, information on the newest apps and games as well as frequent blog posts.