In 2020, nearly 1 in 4 parents in Canada reported coming across inappropriate online behaviour aimed at their child*. Children of the Street, a BC-based not-for-profit working tirelessly to prevent online sexual exploitation of children, knows the key to keeping kids safe is prevention.
Most importantly: speaking to kids about it and equipping them with tools to keep themselves safe.
During Upwords’ pro-bono project for this remarkable organization, we uncovered critical barriers that hold caregivers back from addressing this issue and strategies to overcome them.
Here are some practical tips based on Upwords research:
1. Make it easy for the topic to arise naturally
We all know, parents already juggle countless responsibilities, so proactive discussions about online safety can easily be overlooked. However, starting early and weaving these conversations into everyday moments makes a big difference.
- Make it easier on yourself by keeping information on the topic accessible:
- E.g., follow social media accounts and groups that address the topic, so you have resources at your fingertips whenever the need or opportunity arises.
- Use milestones as opportunities for dialogue, such as:
- Your child first starts accessing the internet.
- Downloading a new app or game with chat functions.
- Getting their first device or social media account.
- Create an online safety plan to outline expectations and steps for raising concerns.
Keep it visible, like on the fridge, for easy reference.
2. Tackle the topic in bite-sized steps
Online sexual exploitation is a sensitive and complex topic, so it can be daunting to bring up with your kids. Specific challenges contribute this apprehension:
Technology is evolving so quickly and most of us did not grow up with smartphones and apps.
Let’s face it, most often kids are the experts on the latest devices, websites, apps etc. This stuff can feel like a foreign country to some of us. But this shouldn’t be a reason to give up.
Here are some tips to help stay up to date on the latest technologies and the risks associated with them:
- Educate yourself on the platforms you allow your kids to access:
- Play around to understand the functionalities and potential parental controls.
- Talk to other parents, friends, colleagues who might have experience with them.
- Look for resources to help ensure your kids use them safely.
- Learn together: make the process collaborative with your kid!
- This will help them feel involved, understand the reasons for any restrictions you might place on their access, and help to set the foundation for open and honest communication on the topic.
How to educate kids without scaring them?
This is something we heard repeatedly: parents put off the conversation because the topic feels too “adult”. But think of other issues we must educate our kids on from a young age, not talking to strangers for example. Approach this in a similar way:
- Gradual conversations: Introduce the topic simply at first, then expand as they get older.
- Use examples and reference points that your kids will understand (e.g., “stranger danger”).
- Utilize resources to help guide early conversations.
Those dreaded eye rolls from your teens…
Teens can be hard to talk to at the best of times, let alone when broaching a difficult conversation! It is important to do nonetheless, and these methods might help your teen to engage in a meaningful way:
- Be ready for the conversation when it arises naturally and look for cues to start it – maybe they mention a new app they started using, or an issue you heard about in the local community.
- Ground the issue in reality – use news stories and statistics to help show the issue is real (it’s not just mom/dad overreacting).
- Explore resources together – share videos with your teens or search for information together.
- Accept the eye rolls – you are going to get them! Be ready for it and power through 😊.
3. Understand ALL kids are at risk.
Common misconceptions can hinder prevention, such as believing some children are less at risk due to maturity, trustworthiness, or limited online activity.
The reality is:
- All genders are vulnerable (boys face higher risks of sextortion).
- Any online activity, supervised or unsupervised, carries some risk.
- Conversations need to start early and continue as kids get older.
Perpetrators of these crimes are manipulative, and it is never a child’s fault.
Prevention starts with equipping all kids to recognize risks, protect themselves, and trust adults with concerns.
Luckily, with organizations like Children of the Street, parents and caregivers are never alone! There are resources and supports available to help navigate this complicated issue.
Upwords was honoured to use Project UpLift to shed light on how to keep kids safe online for this incredible organization.