Connecting safely
Katrina and Jenny follow the tips to ensure they are using the internet and social media safely.
CLBC has launched Canada’s first website dedicated to educating adults with developmental disabilities and their families on how to use the Internet safely.
The website, www.icanbesafeonline.com, is a visual resource that provides tips, videos, stories, quizzes and a blog on Internet safety in simplified language to the individuals CLBC supports.
CLBC is committed to creating safe, welcoming communities for people with developmental disabilities who can be vulnerable both when in community and when online. The goal of www.icanbesafeonline.com is to educate, empower, and equip people with developmental disabilities with the basic safety information so they can be safer when they are online.
The website has a section specifically for families and people who work closely with individuals with developmental disabilities so they can learn what risks may exist when online and what they can do to make sure that person using the Internet is being safe.
“People need to be very cautious when they are communicating online. It’s important to remember that just because someone says they’re your friend online doesn’t mean that they are. Your real friends are the friends that you’ve known for a long time and have come to trust, not someone that you’ve just met online,” says Cpl. Sherrdean Turley, Richmond RCMP.
When you visit the site, you can meet Katrina, the self-advocate spokesperson. Katrina shares her experiences about being safe online and recommends that everyone follow these tips to learn about using the internet safely while still having fun with friends and family:
Tip 1: Protect your password
Keeping your password private means that only you hold the key to your social networking profiles for posting information, pictures and stories.
Tip 2: Find a “checker friend”
It’s all about being safe! Sometimes we need someone else to keep an eye on our posts to make sure we are being safe online.
Tip 3: Double-check your privacy settings
Set a reminder for yourself to double-check your privacy settings to make sure they are as high as you think they are.
Tip 4: Don’t let the internet control you
The internet is just one part of your life. Don’t let it take up all of your social time.
Tip 5: It’s ok to say “No”
It’s good to “un-friend” or “un-follow” people if they make you feel uncomfortable. Saying “no” makes sure you are in control of your online life.
Tip 6: Don’t click too quick
By simply clicking on a link, you may accidentally give people personal information that you really do not want them to know.
Tip 7: Think before you send or post
Keep private information private. Once you have posted personal information or picture on your sites, there is a record of what you have posted, even if you remove or delete that post.
Tip 8: Protect things that are private
Don’t share information about yourself that another person may use against you or that could put you in harm’s way like your home address, banking information, social insurance number or phone number.
To watch Katrina’s videos, which feature more information on these tips, and to take the online safety quiz and read the blog, please visit www.icanbesafeonline.com. You can also follow @safeonlineCLBC on Twitter.
