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Addressing Inappropriate Social Media

Addressing Inappropriate Social Media: Sexting, Sextortion and AI

 

If your nude has gotten out, we can help. Need HelpNow.ca. The support system you never knew you had.
If your nude has gotten our, we can help.
Need HelpNow.ca
The support system you never knew you had.

Explore the resources and please reach out to your school support team (social workers, guidance counsellor, child and youth workers) and/or a trusted adult if you are worried about your or someone you knows image on social media that is inappropriate. If you are experiencing sextortion, the information on this site offers awareness and intervention resources for addressing inappropriate artificial intelligence (AI) images, sexting and sextortion. At Toronto District School Board we hope this assists parents, caregivers, guardians, staff, and youth.

We encourage you to watch this informative short video from the Canadian Center for Children Protection as it equips parents, caregivers, guardians, staff and students with valuable insights to how to protect children and youth from online threats.

Gain knowledge about online risks and discover effective strategies to ensure the online safety of young individuals.

This video is about Online Risks and Trends
This video is about Online Risks and Trends

This video provides parents, caregivers, and other adults working with children and young people with information to build capacity to safeguard them from online harms.

**This video is meant to provide information of a general nature. It is not intended as, and should not be relied upon as, legal or professional advice. Consider all information in light of your own relevant circumstances. Consult with an appropriate professional when dealing with specific situations. Retrieved from: Safeguarding Children and Youth: Human Trafficking Children for Sexual Exploitation – protectchildren.ca

 

How Parents/Caregivers/Guardians Can Reduce Risk? From the Canadian Centre for Child Protection

  1. Educate Yourself: Learn about child sexual abuse and recognize behaviors and situations that pose risks to children and youth. Download our free resources, Protecting Your Child and Child Sexual Abuse: It is Your Business to gain more insights.
  2. Stay Alert: Pay attention to interactions between children and adults. If you feel uncomfortable with how an adult is interacting with a child, intervene. Learn more about reporting incidents on the Taking Action page.
  3. Teach Personal Safety: Educate your child about personal safety. Visit kidsintheknow.ca for age-appropriate resources.
  4. Stay Involved: Be actively involved in your child's life. Attend their activities and observe interactions between adults and children. Know who they are forming relationships with.
  5. Review Policies: Screen and review child protection policies at the organizations and activities your child participates in. For tips on screening organizations, download 3 Steps for Choosing a Child Safe Organization .
  6. Monitor Changes: Pay attention to changes in your child's behavior patterns. While kids may have off days, significant changes could indicate distress. Children often communicate through behavior more than words.

Talking to Your Child About Personal Safety from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection:

  • Ensure that the information you share with your child is age-appropriate.
  • For young children, focus on personal safety rather than explicit details about child sexual abuse.
  • Teach your child the proper names for body parts and emphasize which areas are private and shouldn't be touched or seen by others.
  • Explain the difference between secrets that are okay to keep (like a surprise party) and secrets that should be shared with a safe adult (such as secrets about inappropriate touching or picture taking).
  • Help your child develop assertiveness skills, teaching them that it's okay to say "no" to anything or anyone that makes them feel confused or uncomfortable.
  • Help your child identify safe adults in their life whom they can trust and turn to for help.
  • Emphasize the importance of privacy, especially when changing, bathing, or using the bathroom.
  • Teach your child how to identify and label their feelings, helping them understand their emotions better.
  • Research indicates that offenders are less likely to target children who are empowered to speak up. Empower your child with knowledge about personal safety and boundaries to reduce their risk of victimization.

For more age-appropriate topics to discuss with your child:
Kids in the Know
Free Resources for Parents
ZoeandMolly: Internet Safety Games for Children

DO all three activities in order to become an internet safety master! Comic Books Games Guess what!?!
DO all three activities in order to become an internet safety master!
Comic Books
Games
Guess what!?!

NeedHelpNow.ca provides steps to take when an inappropriate image or video posted on a website.

Watch the short video.

Getting help
  • How we can help
  • Reach out to our support team
  • Regaining control of the situation
  • You are not alone

Sexting, Sextortion and AI Online Resources, Trainings and Digital Literacy

Sexting, Sextortion and AI Online Resources for Educators and Guardians

Sexting, Sextortion and AI Resources for Everyone

Canadian Centre for Child Protection

Families prioritize the online safety of children, yet staying abreast of technological advancements and protecting kids can pose challenges. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection offers valuable insights into children's online behaviours, potential risks, and proactive safety measures.

Explore the Self/Peer Exploitation Family Resource, a comprehensive guide issued by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. This resource assists families when their children have created and shared sexual images or videos with peers or shared images or videos of peers with others. Refer to the guide for practical, concrete strategies to support affected or acting-out youth. Access the resource here: Self/Peer Exploitation Family Resource

Cybertip.ca

Access valuable online safety resources through Cybertip.ca, Canada's national tip line dedicated to reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. Operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Cybertip.ca receives and processes tips from the public regarding potentially illegal material and activities related to online sexual exploitation of children. The website offers information, resources, and support services to help Canadians maintain online safety for themselves and their families. Explore the website here: Cybertip.ca

Media Smarts

Discover Canada's premier Centre for Media and Digital Literacy, offering a wealth of information, statistics, and tip sheets tailored for parents. Explore the resources available at MediaSmarts to enhance your understanding of digital literacy and media use.

Engage in meaningful conversations with your children about sexting using the insightful resources provided by MediaSmarts, Canada's Centre for Digital and Media Literacy. Access valuable information about healthy relationships and strategies to address youth sending and forwarding sexts. Utilize the discussion prompts offered in this resource to empower youth and instill sound decision-making practices. Access the resource here: Talking To Your Kids About Sexting

Need Help Now

Youth can access this website to help #ChangeTheStory. Whether they need help removing a sexual picture/video from the Internet, with cyberbullying or dealing with their peers, to supporting a friend in need, this site provides valuable and reliable information.

Netsmartz

Explore a comprehensive collection of tips, resources, and information covering essential topics such as basic internet safety, cell phone use, cyberbullying, gaming, identity theft, and sexting. Access valuable insights to safeguard yourself and your family online.

Empower your teens with preventive measures against sexting by utilizing the insightful tip sheet from NetSmartz.org. Gain access to practical tips and background information on the reasons for and consequences of sexting, along with proactive steps parents can take to prevent sexting incidents. Review this essential resource with your child before they receive a new piece of technology. Access the tip sheet here: Tips to Preventing Sexting for Teens