• Exposure to inappropriate videos, pictures or messages which might upset, worry or frighten them
• Imitating harmful or inappropriate behavior they see online
• Searching for inappropriate content on purpose or stumbling upon it by accident. This would include using voice activated tools to search for content
• Inadvertently giving apps or websites permission to share their location or other personal information

• Being abused online (including sexually) by people they don’t know
• Being abused online (including sexually) by people they know, such as friends and family members
• Sending images or information to people on the device’s contact list (sexting, etc.)

• Exhibiting unhealthy behaviors and boundaries around their use of screens
• Bullying and harassing each other online as well as offline
• Using words or terminology which are not appropriate for their age
• Engaging in unhealthy relationships
• Taking inappropriate or indecent images and videos of themselves

Respect is a key concept in online behavior. Encourage the need for courtesy, tolerance and respect online and highlight the importance of seeking help if they are the target of bullying.

• Two or more program staff must participate in all online interactions with minor participants.
• Parents must sign a release form advising them if the session is recorded, their responsibility to monitor their child’s online session and the risks of participating in online programming.
• Minors and their parents must comply with code of conduct.
• Staff will not share personal email or social media sites with minor participants, nor will they have contact with the participants outside of program scheduled events. A group texting app should be used.
• Provide parents with procedures on reporting technical problems.
• Staff/monitors should ensure that all discussions pertain to the program activities, all participants are encouraged to contribute and that all participants are respectful to everyone.
  • Keep your computer software updated.
  • Don’t share passwords or sensitive information with anyone.
  • Don’t use the same passwords for multiple accounts.
  • Keep crashers out of your online event:
    • Zoom: https://blog.zoom.us/wordpress/2020/03/20/keep-uninvited-guests-out-of-your-zoom-event/
    • Microsoft Teams: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/security-compliance-overview

The concept of personal information and sharing it with others must be established with the minor participants and program staff.

• Identify what personal information is
• What personal information should or shouldn’t be shared
• Identify ways to report when a minor participant or staff member is asked to enter any personal information on a site/service, or if another user is asking them for details about themselves.
• Minor participants and staff should be aware of the additional risks associated with sharing too much personal information, such as cyberbullying, unwanted contact from strangers, and identity theft.
• While there is plenty of positive content online for children, there is also content for older/adult audiences: extremist content, pornography, content that promotes hurtful or harmful behavior and illegal content.
• It is important to question the reliability of online information.
• Inform minor participants that they may come across upsetting or worrying things online and to report it to an adult.
• Online programing offers minor participants ways to potentially communicate with people they have never met. Ensure minor participants, as well as staff, that they should not disclose personal information to strangers, and that they should always report any online interactions that ask for personal information or upset or worry them.
• Add only trusted people to contacts or friends list