February 10, 2010

Keeping our Children Safe Online

Earlier this week, I joined Lianna McDonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Center for Child Protection for the national launch of a New Internet Safety Website to mark Safer Internet Day.

The Door that’s not Locked (www.thedoorthatsnotlocked.ca) is a unique, one-stop-shop for Internet safety information for parents, teachers and anyone else interested in keeping kids safe online.  

While we’re quick to lock the front door of our homes, many children experience the unsupervised, open door of the Internet.  The Internet has become a part of our children’s lives, so it’s vital that we take steps to ensure their safety while online.  Whether it is contact with people who have harmful intentions, or content that is inappropriate for children, the Internet can pose real risks to kids. The Door that’s not Locked is designed to help open the door to parents, teachers and anyone else who is dedicated to helping keep kids safe online.

Safer Internet Day plays a very important role in this regard. Recognized by several countries around the world, this day is aimed at promoting awareness of safe and responsible use of online technologies.

In 2009, Safer Internet Day was celebrated through 500 events ranging from safety sessions in schools and competitions for young people to public meetings in 50 countries all over the world.

Our Government has been very active in these celebrations for the past three years.  But keeping young people safe online happens more than one day a year.

That is why last year our government announced a renewed commitment to work with our partners through theNational Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet. 

This successful initiative has played a significant role over the last few years in helping to keep the growing number of young people on-line safe.

Our Government is investing $71 million over five years to help ensure that the National Strategy remains the success that it is today.  With these investments, we are further strengthening our ability to combat child sexual exploitation over the Internet through the work of the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre.  

We are also further strengthening the ability of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to help young people stay safe on-line through initiatives such as Cybertip.ca which allows the public to anonymously report suspected cases of child sexual exploitation found online.  Since its launch, it has helped to shut down thousands of websites and block many more URLs with child abuse images on the Internet.

I was pleased to take part in the launch of The Door that’s not Locked.   Our Government remains committed to providing Canadians with comprehensive information, tips and strategies to help keeps kids safe online.

 Please feel free to contact my office if you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss.  You may contact my office toll free at 1-866-333-1933 or at 204-326-9889 or in Lac du Bonnet at 204-345-9762.  You may write my office at 8 - 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by fax at 204-346-9874 or by e-mail at toewsv1@mts.net