Eparchy of Saskatoon Covenant of Care Bulletin:
Vol. 1, December 2018
“…the renewal of the Church’s duty to ensure the protection of minors…demands ongoing education and formation—a perpetual investment in personnel, resources, time and educational programs—and the constant conversion of minds and hearts.” Protecting Minors, CCCB, 69.
Cyber Safety: Tips for Parents
As Christmas approaches electronics are often high on the wish lists for many of our young people. Although most of us have some vague notions about the need for cyber-safety, many of us a blithely unaware of what we can do to make the internet a safer place for our children. So here are some tips
- Talk to your kids about where they go and what they do online. Open communication is a must!
- Discuss how to be a good ‘online citizen’ and what your family’s values are regarding what is acceptable and what is not. In that regard consider getting family accountability software such as ‘Covenant Eyes’. This really is an absolute must regardless of what kind of screening software you might use. If you don’t know what accountability software is ‘google’ Covenant Eyes. Porn sites know how to find and hook kids on their wares…good Catholic boys and girls…even young kids…please do not disregard this caution!
- Insist on passwords & ask that kids not share these with even their closest friends. Parents always have a right to know where their kids are going and that includes where they go online. Parents always have the right to know what their minor children’s passwords are!
- Share with Care: Younger children should not be allowed to post any personal information or pictures online. That goes doubly for online chat rooms. (Parents should consider whether they would want an online predator looking at pics of their kids before posting them online as well.) For older kids remind them that what they post can be ammunition for cyber bullies or people who may want to take advantage of them. Reinforce that once something is in cyberspace—including even that which is sent privately via text or email—is potentially there forever and could be shared with anyone.
- Don’t respond to a bully or try to defend yourself—the rule of thumb is STOP; BLOCK and TELL.
- Think before you click—never click on email/text links unless you are 100% certain they are safe, even when they are from people you know.
Adapted from: https://www.cbc.ca/keepingcanadasafe/blog/keep-kids-safe-online
PDF Copy of Covenant of Care Bulletin: Vol. 1, December 2018»»