Welcome to our online safety hub for young people. This section is for kids and teens who want to learn how to stay safe on social media, in games, and everywhere else they spend time online.
Being online is a normal part of life but also comes with risks. Statistics Canada reports that in 2019, one in four youth aged 12 to 17 said they had experienced cyberbullying in the past year. [1]
The good news: most online problems can be avoided or handled once you know what to look for. You do not need to be a tech expert. You just need a few good habits and to know who to talk to if something goes wrong.
Choose an article below to learn about a specific topic. Each one is written in plain language and takes about 5 minutes to read.
Smart habits for the apps you use every day.
What it is, how to respond, and where to get help.
why what you post matters.
how recruiters use social media, and how to stay safe.
protecting your accounts and yourself in game chats.
how to spot messages and sites built to trick you.
If something happens online that upsets you, scares you, or makes you uncomfortable, it is not your fault, and you do not have to deal with it by yourself. Public Safety Canada says that if you are worried about something online or someone else’s actions online are upsetting you, you should talk to a safe adult.
A safe adult can be a parent, a relative, a teacher, a coach, or another trusted grown-up. You can also contact Kids Help Phone, a free, confidential service for young people in Canada that is available 24 hours a day.
[1] Statistics Canada, Online hate and aggression among young people in Canada, The Daily, February 27, 2024. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240227/dq240227b-eng.htm