The internet is a powerful tool for learning, connecting, and sharing, but it also presents risks that can put your personal information, finances, and safety in jeopardy.
Explore the tips and resources below to learn more about how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe online.
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Use strong, unique passwords for each account and store them in a password manager.
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Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible for extra protection.
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Be cautious with links and attachments—verify before clicking, especially if the source is unfamiliar.
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Keep software, apps, and devices updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
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Limit personal information shared on social media and adjust your privacy settings regularly.
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Shop only on secure websites (look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the address bar).
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Avoid using public Wi-Fi for banking or sensitive transactions—use a VPN if needed.
For an extensive list of educational resources, visit the following webpages:
Below are some basic tips to keep your children safe online:
Set clear rules for when, where, and how devices can be used.
Use parental controls to filter content and manage screen time.
- Monitor online activity and check for hidden apps on devices.
Teach kids not to share personal information like their address, school name, or phone number.
Remind them to think before they post—once something is online, it’s hard to remove.
Encourage open conversations about their online experiences and who they’re interacting with.
Know their friends lists and ensure they only connect with people they know in real life.
Model safe online behaviour so they can follow your example.
Automatically Stay Informed of Emerging Online Risks to Children
Operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, ProtectKidsOnline.ca is designed to assist parents/guardians in protecting their children on the Internet and reducing their risk of victimization. Information is regularly gleaned from Cybertip.ca to create current, developmentally appropriate prevention material.
Stay on top of the latest resources and information for parents and caregivers to help keep kids safe online and offline. Click here to sign up for the newsletter.
You may also wish to sign up to receive Cybertip.ca Alerts, notifications sent out to inform the public of concerning technology trends and new resources designed to increase children’s personal safety.
Cyberbullying can happen to anyone and takes many forms—hurtful messages, threats, spreading rumours, or sharing private images without consent. It can occur through social media, gaming platforms, text messages, or email, and it often leaves lasting emotional effects.
If you or someone you know is being cyberbullied:
Don’t respond to hurtful messages—save the evidence instead.
Block or mute the person engaging in the behaviour.
Report the abuse to the platform and, if necessary, to police.
Reach out to friends, family, or a support service for help.
It is also important to teach your kids not to cyberbully by teaching them the following:
- It’s OK not to like someone. It’s not OK to bully them.
- If you see something online that’s meant to hurt someone, don’t “like” or share it. Think about how you’d feel if someone did that to you.
- If someone cyberbullies you, you may want to send a mean comment back, but it could make this worse. Instead, save the evidence and report it.
- Being a good digital citizen means standing up for others. Take steps to help peers being cyberbullied (e.g. post nice comments, sit with them at lunch, report the harassment, etc.)
Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected online. Taking action can help stop harmful behaviour and protect others.
Visit our Parents & Educators webpage to access educational resources on bullying.
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority offers a free course on cybersecurity practices for remote workers.
Topics include protecting your Wi-Fi, strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, VPNs, protecting confidential information, protecting personal devices, phishing, and more.
Online dating can be a great way to meet new people, but it’s important to protect your safety and privacy while building connections. Scammers, fake profiles, and individuals with harmful intentions can use dating platforms to target others.
Stay safe when using dating apps:
Keep personal details private—avoid sharing your full name, address, workplace, or daily routines early on.
Verify profiles—do a quick search or video chat before meeting in person.
Be cautious with photos—images can contain location data or be misused. Don’t send intimate photos or videos to anyone.
Watch for red flags—requests for money, inconsistent stories, or pressure to move the conversation off the app quickly.
- Do not send money to people you haven’t met.
Meet in public for the first few dates, and let a friend or family member know your plans.
Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it’s okay to end the conversation and block the person. Your safety should always come first.
Visit our Fraud & Scams webpage to learn more.
Online games and virtual worlds can be fun, social spaces where you connect with players from around the globe. But just like in real life, these environments can also expose you to risks such as harassment, scams, and inappropriate content.
Stay safe while gaming online:
Protect your personal information—never share your real name, location, or contact details in chat.
Use strong, unique passwords for gaming accounts and enable multi-factor authentication.
Be cautious with in-game purchases—only buy from official stores or trusted sources.
Report and block toxic players who engage in harassment, bullying, or hate speech.
Limit voice chat with strangers—especially for children and teens—to avoid exposure to harmful content.
Be aware of scams such as fake giveaways, “free” game currency, or phishing attempts through chat.
Remember: your online safety matters just as much in a virtual world as it does in the real one.
Quick Video: What is Discord?
Discord lets people chat via text, voice or video in real time. Servers are the main communities on Discord, often focused on a single game or topic (TV series, music, and more). It can also be an easy-to-use group-chatting tool for friends.
- Age Requirement: Users must be 13 years old but can enter false information to bypass this requirement.
- Safety Tip: When it comes to sites and apps with open chat like Discord, the safest way to use them is to only accept friend requests and participate in private servers with people you already know (people you have met in-person).
- What to do: With the right supervision and continuous, open communication, Discord can be a positive experience for kids. If they are using a public server, be sure to talk to your children about online warning signs - watching out for inappropriate interactions such as being asked to move to a private chat or private account on other apps.
Source: Parents' Ultimate Guide to Discord - Common Sense Media
Quick Video: What is Fortnite?
Fortnite is an action-strategy game (cartoonish) with multiple game modes. There is a solo version called, "Save the World," where players are survivors of an apocalyptic storm that work together to defeat the zombies. There is also a multiplayer version called, "Battle Royale," allows up to 100 people to participate in a match together. Players are put in a game map and must compete to be the last one standing by killing every other player.
- Safety Tip: You can manage permissions for friend requests, voice and text chat, content ratings, and filters for mature language. Parents and caregivers can also set up passwords for in-game spending.
Source: Parents' Ultimate Guide to Fortnite - Common Sense Media
Quick Video: What is Roblox?
Roblox is an online gaming platform where the user makes and shares their own games with friends. Users can also play games made by others.
- Age Requirement: Roblox doesn't have a strict age minimum, but it does use different ratings for game content:
- All Ages: Mild content, light fantasy violence.
- 9+: May include more fantasy violence.
- 13+: Contains more intense content and social interactions.
- 17+: Mature content, requiring age verification.
The ratings primarily focus on violence and may not fully cover other areas like explicit content, drug use, or crude humor.
- There can be scams or pressure to buy Robux (in-game currency). Let your child know that any offer of "free Robux" is a scam, do not click on the link!
- Safety Tip: Roblox’s chat features allow kids to connect with friends, but they also open the door to interactions with strangers - posing risks such as extortion. While language filters are in place, some users still manage to bypass them, exposing children to inappropriate content. To limit unmonitored interactions, Roblox now restricts users under 13 from accessing "Social Hangouts."
- What to do: With the right supervision and continuous, open communication, Roblox can be a positive experience for kids. When on a public server teach the online warning signs of inappropriate interactions, such as being asked to move the chat to a private chat or private account on other apps.
Source: Parents' Ultimate Guide to Roblox - Common Sense Media
Minecraft is more than just one game - it's a vast online world where players can create and explore. Unlike many other games, Minecraft doesn't come with detailed instructions. Instead, kids often learn by exploring on their own, experimenting with different ideas and watching tutorials or videos online.
- Something to Know: Minecraft’s multiplayer mode offers both text and voice chat, making it a fun way for kids to connect with friends. However, these features can also pose risks. Even though chat filters help block some inappropriate language, kids may still encounter issues - whether from strangers or even people they know - while interacting in the game.
- Safety Tip: Public servers pose the highest risk since children may interact with strangers. Supervised play is recommended for younger kids. It is also important to have conversations with children of all ages about online warning signs - watching out for inappropriate interactions such as being asked to move to a private chat or private account on other apps.
Source: Parents' Ultimate Guide to Minecraft - Common Sense Media
Shopping online can be quick, easy, and convenient—whether you’re buying from well-known retailers or through local online marketplaces. But it’s important to protect yourself from scams, counterfeit goods, and identity theft.
Shopping from Retailers
Use secure websites—look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the address bar.
Shop from trusted brands—stick to official websites or reputable third-party sellers.
Beware of fake websites—check the URL carefully for spelling errors or unusual domains.
- Beware of fake products—some products sold online use AI generated images.
Use secure payment methods like credit cards or trusted payment platforms that offer buyer protection.
Limit personal information—only provide details necessary to complete the purchase.
Avoid “too good to be true” prices—counterfeit or stolen goods are common bait.
Buying & Selling in Online Marketplaces
Meet in public for exchanges, ideally in a well-lit, busy location
Bring a friend when meeting in person and let someone know your plans.
Inspect items before paying to ensure they match the description and are in working condition.
- Read e-transfer details carefully—scammers may try to trick you by sending an e-transfer request rather than a payment.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash—use secure payment methods when possible.
Be cautious of overpayment scams where a buyer sends extra money and asks for a refund.
Trust your instincts—if a deal feels rushed, secretive, suspicious, or “too good to be true,” walk away.
Strong passwords and secure accounts are your first line of defence against hackers and identity theft. Weak or reused passwords make it easy for cybercriminals to gain access to your personal, financial, and work information.
Protect your accounts with these tips:
Create strong passwords—use at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Avoid using personal information like names, birthdays, or common words.
Use a unique password for each account to prevent one breach from compromising multiple accounts.
Consider a password manager to securely store and generate strong passwords.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an extra layer of security.
Update passwords regularly and immediately after any suspected breach.
Log out of accounts when using shared or public devices.
Taking a few extra steps to secure your passwords can greatly reduce the risk of your accounts being hacked.
Phishing is a type of cybercrime where criminals trick you into revealing sensitive information—such as passwords, banking details, or personal data—by pretending to be a trusted person or organization. These attacks often come in the form of emails, text messages, or direct messages on social media that look real but are designed to deceive.
How to protect yourself from phishing:
Check the sender carefully—fake addresses may look similar to legitimate ones but often have subtle errors.
Be cautious with links—hover over them to see the real web address before clicking.
Look for spelling mistakes, unusual wording, or urgent demands—these are common warning signs.
Never enter personal information through a link in an unsolicited message.
Verify the request by contacting the person or organization directly using official contact information.
Delete and report phishing attempts to your email provider or local police if needed.
A quick pause to verify a message can prevent you from becoming a victim of phishing.
Test your ability to spot phishing messages by clicking here.
Sexting involves sharing intimate or sexual messages, images, or videos through digital devices. While it may seem private, these materials can easily be saved, shared, or used without your consent.
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where someone threatens to share intimate images or information unless you pay money, provide more images, or perform certain acts.
Protect yourself from the risks:
Think before you send—once something is shared digitally, you lose control over where it goes.
Never share intimate content with someone you don’t fully trust—and even then, remember trust can change.
Be cautious about strangers online—scammers often build fake relationships to gain compromising material.
Recognize threats immediately—demands for money, more images, or secrecy are red flags.
Don’t give in to blackmail—paying rarely stops the threats and may make things worse.
Save evidence—take screenshots, record usernames, and keep messages.
Report sextortion to your local police and the platform where it occurred.
You have the right to privacy, dignity, and safety online. If you’re experiencing sextortion, you are not alone—help is available.
Help for Youth
NeedHelpNow.ca helps teens stop the spread of sexual pictures or videos and provides support along the way.
If a nude of you under the age of 18 has been shared online, or you have experienced luring, sextortion, or other forms of online sexual violence as a youth, our support team can:
- Help you with next steps
- Send notices to assist with having offending accounts suspended and/or removed
- Send notices to platforms through Project Arachnid, our tool to help take down abusive images
- Help connect you to additional services like counselling/therapy, peer support, or victim services that are a right fit, and available in your area
Take It Down is a free service that can help you remove or stop the online sharing of nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos taken of you when you were under 18 years old. You can remain anonymous while using the service and you won’t have to send your images or videos to anyone. Take It Down will work on public or unencrypted online platforms that have agreed to participate.
Social media can be a great way to connect with friends, share your life, and keep up with news and trends. But it’s also a place where personal information can be misused, scams can spread quickly, and harmful interactions can occur.
Stay safe on social media:
Adjust your privacy settings so only trusted people can see your posts and information.
Think before you share—photos, videos, and comments can be saved, shared, or misinterpreted.
Limit personal details such as your address, workplace, or daily routines.
Be cautious when accepting friend or follow requests—fake profiles are common.
Watch for scams and suspicious links in posts, messages, or comments.
Report and block accounts that engage in harassment, bullying, or suspicious activity.
Review your old posts regularly to remove anything you no longer want public.
A few simple precautions can help you enjoy social media while protecting your privacy and safety.
Public Wi-Fi—like the kind you find in coffee shops, airports, hotels, or libraries—can be convenient, but it’s often not secure. Cybercriminals can use unsecured networks to steal your personal information, passwords, or banking details.
Protect yourself when using public Wi-Fi:
Avoid accessing sensitive accounts (like banking or email) unless absolutely necessary.
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet traffic.
Turn off file sharing and make sure your device’s firewall is on.
Log out of accounts when you’re done using them.
Forget the network after you disconnect so your device won’t automatically reconnect later.
Verify the network name with staff—criminals can set up fake “look-alike” hotspots.
When possible, use your mobile data or a personal hotspot for important online tasks—especially those involving personal or financial information.
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority offers a free course on cybersecurity practices for remote workers.
Topics include protecting your Wi-Fi, strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, VPNs, protecting confidential information, protecting personal devices, phishing, and more.
