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The internet is a fantastic resource and a fun place, but it can also be unsafe and scary for kids and teens who don’t know how to protect themselves online. February 9th is Safer Internet Day, when young people are encouraged to “Play your part for a better internet”, and Shaw launches their anti-bullying campaign, leading up to Pink Shirt Day on February 25th. You can use this day (or any day this month) as an excuse to open the lines of communication about internet safety and online bullying with your own kids!

Not sure where to start? Check out the various resource packs available from www.saferinternetday.org. Here are few nuggets of internet wisdom to get you started…

Advice for Parents/Caregivers:

  • Have ongoing conversations with your children about staying safe online. Make a family agreement highlighting your own online rules.
  • Use safety tools on social networks and other online services (e.g. Facebook privacy settings, YouTube Restricted Mode).
  • Investigate the parental controls offered for your home internet service and devices.

Advice for Kids Aged 3-11:

  • Look out for your friends: if you see something mean online, report it, block that person and tell a parent or another trusted adult.
  • Respect each other’s differences online: we’re not all the same, and that’s what makes us great!
  • Play your part: help make the internet a kind place for everyone. What can you do?

Advice for Kids Aged 12-18:

  • Post positively: play your part to make the internet a better place.
  • Think before you post: there’s a person behind the screen reading what you post. How would it make you feel?
  • Don’t suffer in silence: Speak to a parent, teacher or other trusted adult if you see or receive any abuse online.
  • Report hateful/inappropriate content to social networks and block anyone who is being mean or inappropriate to you online.

Introducing #PinkShirtPromise and #PinkyPromise

For over 20 years, Shaw has partnered with leading Canadian organizations that provide award-winning programs and resources on anti-bullying, online safety, and digital literacy. Between February 9 and 24, 2016, Shaw is encouraging people to spread positive messages in the stand against bullying by making a #PinkyPromise or a #PinkShirtPromise to specific friends, using their social media channels.

Ask your kids to make a promise to help create safe, positive environments in their communities that will help bring an end to bullying. They can also take a photo of themselves with friends making a pinky promise to help stop bullying using #PinkyPromise as the caption along with #PinkShirtPromise. And don’t forget to set a great example and make your own #PinkShirtPromise!

 

You Could Win an ET Canada Experience!

For every anti-bullying/positive post made using the #PinkShirtPromise or #PinkyPromise hashtags between February 9 and 24, 2016, participants will be entered to win a trip to Toronto for an exclusive ET Canada Experience (contest open to all residents of Canada, excluding Quebec). This fantastic prize package includes a flight for two to Toronto, two nights hotel accommodation, an Entertainment Tonight Canada Experience and $1,500 dollar shopping spree to an Ivanhoe Cambridge mall.

For more information on #PinkShirtPromise and #PinkyPromise, visit Shaw online.

This February, how is your family going to help make the internet a safer place for everyone?

#PinkShirtPromise and #PinkyPromise Details:

When: February 9 – 24, 2016
Where: your social media channels
Website: www.shaw.ca/pinkshirtpromise
Facebook: Shaw on Facebook

Safer Internet Day Details:

When: Tuesday February 9, 2016
Where: your home/school/workplace!
Website: www.saferinternetday.org