A local tech blogger says online safety has to be an ongoing conversation between parents and their children.
Kevin Andrews was responding to an RNC warning about the activity of online extremist group 764 which recently targeted a local child.
The group recruits children by contacting them through popular gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft. Once they establish trust, they have the child or young person move to message apps like Discord where the conversation often turns darker.
Members of the group then coerce and threaten young people to self harm, harm pets or even kill themselves.
(Kevin Andrews File photo)
Andrews told the Tim Powers Show that there are ways that parents can monitor their child’s online activities without having to hover over them all day.
“They can use parental controls on your phone, device or computer. You can make accounts private, where possible…and turn off direct messaging from strangers.” He says his level two controls would involve supervision.
Local Schools Share Warning About Online Safety
Meanwhile, local schools have reached out to parents and guardians about online extremist groups and violent online activities involving young people in this province.
NL Schools has issued memos advising of warning signs that could signal that a child or young person has been targeted.
They include new online “friends” or networks that they seem infatuated with or that they are scared of. Another sign to watch for is anonymous gifts, items or money delivered to your home, gaming currency, or other virtual items.
NL Schools also says to watch for an interest in gore, disasters, self-harm, suicide or true crime content, writing in blood or what appears to be blood, and kids spending more time on the internet unsupervised or alone in their room.
Parents are also urged to tell their children never to give out personal information and to make sure they understand what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate material.
