Discussion Guide and Resources

Safe Surf was created so parents and kids would have a place to learn about online safety together while developing a common vocabulary to talk about the online world. We know that talking to kids isn’t always easy, so we’ve created discussion guides to help you get the conversation going in the right direction.

What’s Online? Discussion

In the What’s Online? section of this site you and your kids learn about 7 popular ways the Internet is used. Here are some questions you can ask to get the discussion started.

Social Networking

• What social networking sites do you and your friends use?
• What’s your display or profile picture?
• Can you show me how the networking site works?

Chat Rooms

• What’s your favourite chat room?
• Do you have a favourite username?
• Do you ever go into private chat rooms?

Instant Messaging

• What did you include in your personal profile?
• Do you have a favourite username?
• Is there anyone on your contact list that you don’t know from the real word?

Online Bullying

• Do you know anyone who has ever been cyberbullied?
• Have you ever been cyberbullied?
• Do you know what to save (emails, IM messages, etc.) if you’re ever cyberbullied?

Online Gaming

• Which games do you play online?
• What’s your highest score?
• Can you show me how to play the game?

Email

• How many emails do you send a day?
• Have you ever received spam or a message from someone you didn’t know?
• Do you send photos and videos through email?

File Sharing

• What’s your favourite file sharing site?
• What’s your favourite thing to download? Music? Videos?
• Do you ever use the chat part of your file-sharing program?

More conversation starters

When it comes to online safety there’s a lot to talk about! Here are some more topics you should discuss as a family.

Laying down rules and boundaries

Sit down as a family and make an agreement about when and how long family members can use the computer and what can and cannot be done online. As part of your discussion come to an agreement about whether or not chores or homework need to be completed first, and be very clear about what will happen if the family rules are broken.

Public behaviour

The Internet is a public place where the same rules of real world good behaviour and respect for personal information apply. Discuss your expectations for what types of information should stay private and how you expect your kids to behave online.

Join in on the fun

Get your kids talking about the social communities they’re part of online. Discuss which ones they enjoy, and ask them to show you how to use the different sites. Creating your own account on a site like Facebook or Webkinz will give you a better sense of what your children are doing and what they’re coming in contact with online.

Resources

The following websites have additional information to help protect your children online.

Be Web Aware
This Canadian site includes age-related safety tips and information on online safety risks.

Childnet International
A international non-profit organization working to help make the Internet a safe place for children.

CyberAngels
A program of the Guardian Angels, includes help for parents and information on cyber security.

GetNetWise
Information on stopping unwanted email and spam and protecting your computer.

Media Awareness Network
A collection of media education and Internet literacy resources for parents and teachers. Also includes educational games for children on these subjects.

NetSmartz411
An online resource where questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web are answered by an expert. You can submit your own questions and access a library of previously answered questions.

This website may contain useful information for you as adults re technology and society.

ATechnologySociety
ATechnologySociety was formed to offer a unique reference point on advice on the safety of technology and its effect on society. The website contains over 50 articles, including articles specific to children and their use of technology.