Children and youth are online more than ever due to ongoing advances in technology and digital media. This has increased their susceptibility to online exploitation. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection processes over 100,000 reports monthly, according to Public Safety Canada.
What actions can we take? Being proactive and engaging in supportive conversations is crucial. Raising awareness and educating families can lead to more informed decisions. Together, we can establish guidelines at home to encourage safe online habits.
March 4 to 10 is Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week. To encourage open discussion, the Exploitation Education Institute will conduct presentations for middle and high school students on Monday, March 11 during their regular assembly blocks. Additionally, we will be hosting a session for parents and guardians. This session will be led by Tiana Sharifi, who will provide insights into the various forms of sexual exploitation, both online and offline. We will also share practical tips and strategies to protect children and youth from online sexual exploitation.
Parents are invited to join us on Monday, March 11 from 3:45 pm to 5:00 pm for this important presentation. Please RSVP here to confirm your attendance.