Making the most of parental controls on devices and apps
Written by Nimmi Kanji (Director - Social Purpose Programs, For Good & TELUS Wise) Discussing online privacy with your kids is an important part of creating safe online experiences for them. While it may seem that kids are in their own worlds when they are using devices and apps, parents and guardians still have an important role to play in protecting kids’ privacy, gatekeeping the content they see and ensuring their online interactions are safe. Most device operating systems and the apps kids use offer a suite of parental controls and privacy settings. By familiarizing yourself with what’s available and taking advantage of the settings, you can let the kids in your life experience the advantages of being online while minimizing the risks. Apple devices Apple provides, “tools that let parents know, and feel good about, what kids are doing.” Features let parents set limits on how and how often kids can use their devices including: Screen time: track how much time kids spend on apps, devices and websites and set limits for specific apps and websites. Downtime: block apps and notifications at a specific time (i.e. bedtime or during homework hours). Ask to download/buy: approve or decline kids’ app download/purchase requests from your device. App store: direct kids to the “made for kids” section on the app store and add content restrictions (age range) so they only see age-appropriate apps. Combined limits: combine individual apps and websites and set limits. In app purchases: block the option of in app purchases. For instance, you can block the purchase of power-ups and other in-game options. Android and Chrome devices Google offers Family Link with tools to keep the entire family safer online including: Screen time limits: schedule downtime, set time limits for apps and guide children to age-appropriate content. Permissions management: set specific permissions for websites and extensions accessed through Chrome. Account management: change or reset passwords for kids’ accounts, edit personal information or delete an account if necessary. Location settings: locate kids on one map (if they are carrying their device) and receive notifications of arrivals/departures. Parents can also use the controls available on popular apps that kids use all the time. It’s not just about how much time kids spend online, it’s also about the content they consume. TikTok TikTok offers Family Pairing, which allows a parent or guardian to link their TikTok account to a kid’s account to better control content, privacy and well-being settings. Some of the key features in Family Pairing include: Private account: set your child’s account to private for restricted access. Comments/direct messages: limit who can comment on your child’s content and send them direct messages. Daily screen time: set time restrictions for app usage and track how much time kids spend on the app. Restricted mode: enable this feature with a password to limit exposure to unsuitable content. Video keywords: filter keywords and hashtags and choose which feeds your kids can see. In March 2023, TikTok released several new features to help parents ensure safer use of the app: 60-minute screen time limit: for kids under 13, parents need to enter a password to extend time on the app. Daily screen time: customize based on the day of the week and kids’ schedules. Screen time dashboard: at-a-glance view of app usage. Notifications: mute notifications to minimize disruptions. Meta In 2022, Meta introduced Family Center, which offers supervision tools for parents/guardians, as well as expert resources. The vision is to extend these capabilities across all Meta technologies with centralized management. Currently, parental controls are available for Instagram and include: Account management: kids can invite parents/guardians to manage their accounts or parents/guardians can request management access. Time management: see time spent on the app and set usage limits. Notifications: if your child reports someone, you receive a notification. Follow updates: get notifications when your kids follow someone or when someone follows them back. YouTube YouTube offers parents the option of creating a supervised account for kids under 13, so parents have more visibility into and control over age appropriate content. Many parents opt to create a YouTube Kids profile for their younger users and gain access to parental controls including: Block or share content Change content level settings Turn off the search feature Review watch history Disable autoplay. Parental controls and privacy settings are two great tools parents and guardians can use to help keep kids safe online but ongoing dialogue about online safety is still critical. If you are going to use parental controls, be upfront and let your child know you will be monitoring their online activities. Introduce controls early and proactively rather than waiting until your kids are older or using them as a consequence. By doing so, you can help your kids see parental controls as tools that give them more freedom online rather than hampering their independence. Learn more about how to keep your kids safe online with our online workshop for parents at telus.com/WiseWorkshops. FR versionKids on social media: 3 benefits, 3 risks
Written by Amanda Lee (Senior Program Manager, Tech for Good & TELUS Wise ®) The vast majority of Canadian youth are using social media daily. According to Media Technology Monitor’s MTM Jr. report, which researches media habits of youth from seven to 17 years old, seven in 10 children use social media, with half of seven- to 11-year-olds and 85% of teens using social media in the past month. Social platforms help them connect, develop digital skills, and express themselves. However, along with the benefits come risks. Parents, caregivers and educators can help create a safe online environment by being aware of both the advantages and challenges of social media. What’s great about it? There are a lot of benefits of social media for kids. Let’s focus on three. #1: It’s social Kids can connect beyond their immediate physical worlds of family, school and hobbies. They can seek out communities based on shared interests, whether they are music, sports, culture or causes. And within those communities, they can establish real friendships with people living in different places with different perspectives and worldviews. Social media also provides a great forum to join and participate in support networks. For instance, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and kids from different cultural backgrounds can connect with people that share their experiences, access resources and find opportunities to further engage with the communities they belong to online and offline. #2: It promotes digital literacy Kids today are known as “digital natives”. They are growing up with technology and don’t know any differently. Social media can teach vital communication and technical skills that are part of both life and career training. Interacting face-to-face in our physical world is part of social development, but interacting online is also a vital element of learning how to relate, set boundaries and participate responsibly in relationships and communities. #3: It gives kids a voice There are so many inspiring stories of how kids have used social media to spark their own passions for social issues, raise awareness and effect change. Neb, a recipient of the TELUS Student Bursary, is a great example. He is the founder of Brothers4Brothers, a youth-led mentorship program aimed at combating stigma and promoting awareness of men's mental health and is also the driving force behind Community Cares, an initiative that provides care packages filled with essential items to underprivileged youth. As an artist, motivational speaker, content creator, social justice advocate, podcast host, youth ambassador, and mentor, Neb leverages social media to connect with others and advance his work. Whether it’s anti-cyberbullying events, fundraisers or marches that call attention to social issues, kids are turning to social media to promote social responsibility, community service and global awareness. In fact, Common Sense Media, a leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools, lists 21 websites catering to kids aged eight to 16 that help them do good. What are the risks? Benefits also come with risks. While there are a lot of great things about social media, there are some risks too. Let’s focus on three. #1: Incessant marketing Many companies spend a lot of time and money figuring out how to best market to the coveted youth demographic. And social media is fertile ground for advertisers and marketers. There are regular ads, which are easy to spot. But sponsored and influencer content is more covert. The bottom line? Kids are being marketed to almost constantly on social media and advertisements like this have the ability to impact a child’s values, beliefs, self confidence and more. #2: Cyberbullying With so much socializing taking place on social media, there is a lot going on “behind the screen” that parents can’t see. And if kids aren’t sharing their experiences, parents often never know the frequency or severity of online bullying until the damage is done. Common forms of cyberbullying include verbal/emotional abuse, social exclusion, gossip and publicizing content that was meant to be private. Emotional consequences can include isolation, anxiety, depression and in extreme cases, even the tragic loss of life. There can also be legal consequences as we explored in our article, “Cyberbullying can be criminal.” #3: Unrealistic expectations and mental health There is most certainly a filtered reality on social media. Influencers and celebrities have full teams behind them to help capture and post the perfect selfie (this great video from Dove’s Self-Esteem project casts a critical eye on what really goes into that casual selfie you may see online). The unrealistic beauty standards flooding social can be damaging to kids who are just forming their own identities and relationships with their bodies. According to the Dove Global Beauty and Confidence Report, 6 in 10 (65%) girls believe that media and advertising set an unrealistic standard of beauty most women can’t achieve. The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto also found that social media and smartphone use increase the burden of mental distress. The Hospital has seen admissions for mental health reasons increasing, and suicide has become the second most common cause of death for Canadian youth. 3 things you can do If you’re encouraged by the benefits of social media but are concerned about the risks, there are things you can do with your kids to mitigate them. #1: Start responsible social media use early Modeling responsible behaviour on social can help your kids understand what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour. And if you start having these conversations early, you’ll help your kids form healthy habits that will follow them throughout their digital lives. #2: Set boundaries Create rules for social media together and decide on the appropriate consequences if they aren’t followed. By involving kids in the process, they understand your concerns and have contributed to their own boundaries online. #3: Have honest conversations Dove’s #NoLikesNeeded campaign teaches kids that the only “like” that counts is their own. Campaigns like this are great conversation starters about what we see online and how it makes us feel. Explain the importance of having a critical eye and healthy scepticism on social media. View the unrealistic images together and talk about how they are created and why. Talk about AI influencers who aren’t even real and strategies for how to spot them! And then find positive role models who are not only real humans, but are revered for their strength, intelligence or abilities rather than just looks and/or entertaining content. Social media can be a productive, inspiring and empowering place for kids. With limits, digital literacy and ongoing conversations, it is easy to find the balance between the benefits and the risks. For more tips on how to help your kids navigate our digital world, take the TELUS Wiseᵀᴹ parent workshop online. You can also encourage your child to complete the TELUS Wiseᵀᴹ happiness workshop. Or better yet, do it together! Visit telus.com/WiseWorkshops. FR versionThe dangerous online network 764: what parents need to know
Written by Amanda Lee (Senior Program Manager - Tech for Good & TELUS Wise ®) A disturbing online network known as 764 has emerged, targeting young people through social media and gaming platforms. According to Marc-André Argentino, a senior researcher at Public Safety Canada specializing in extremism movements “The most horrendous part about it is it is minors doing this to minors,” As parents, it is crucial to understand this threat and know how to protect our kids. What exactly is 764? 764 is a sophisticated online extremist network that operates across multiple social media platforms and gaming communities. What sets 764 apart is its ability to blend seemingly innocent content with more sinister messaging, specifically designed to appeal to youth. The network leverages AI-generated content to appear credible and exploits current events to promote its ideology. 764 deliberately targets vulnerable youth, often starting on popular gaming sites like Minecraft and Roblox, or by posing as support groups on social media. Members then lure young users into private online chats on platforms such as Discord and Telegram. The ultimate goal of 764 is to exert psychological control over their victims, leading to increasingly harmful behaviours. This can escalate to severe physical and emotional abuse, with victims being coerced through threats of exposure and blackmail. How 764 lures its victims The recruitment tactics employed by 764 are both diverse and sophisticated: Gaming infiltration: They create custom game modifications and use in-game chat features for initial contact. Social media manipulation: The group uses trending hashtag manipulation, viral video challenges, and meme-based messaging to spread their content. Psychological tactics: 764 preys on young people's desire for belonging and exclusivity, offering "hidden knowledge" and using peer pressure and fear of missing out (FOMO) to draw them in. Gradual exposure: As they gain trust, the network slowly introduces more extreme content, gradually radicalizing its young targets. Grooming process: Experts note that the grooming includes lavishing victims with attention and exposing them to violent content to desensitize them. Victims are then coerced into sending sexually explicit images and engaging in self-harm. Blackmail and coercion: Members of 764 threaten to share compromising images with family and friends to force their victims into increasingly harmful actions, all in an effort to exert control for their own gratification. Warning signs to look out for Be alert to these potential indicators of 764 involvement: Content and communication: Use of the number 764 in usernames or bios Sharing specific symbols associated with the group Using distinctive slang or coded language Sudden interest in specific conspiracy theories Behavioural changes: Increased secrecy about online activities Extended time spent on new or unknown platforms Withdrawal from regular friend groups Creating new accounts with 764-related references Digital activities: Installing specific apps or games Joining particular Discord servers Following certain content creators Using new messaging platforms Major red flags: Sudden extreme secrecy about online activities Unexplained new online friends who demand secrecy Changes in sleep patterns due to online activities Expressing increasingly extreme viewpoints Isolation from family and friends Signs of self-harm or unusual injuries Drastic personality changes Online safety prevention tips Protecting your child from the influence of 764 requires a multi-faceted approach: Open communication: Maintain regular, open discussions about online experiences without judgment. Create an environment where your child feels comfortable sharing concerns. Digital literacy education: Teach critical thinking skills, discuss online manipulation tactics, and practice safe online habits together. Help your kids develop healthy skepticism and independent thought. Monitor online activity: Stay aware of your child's online presence, including gaming platforms and social media accounts. Use parental control tools when appropriate, but be transparent about their use. Set boundaries: Establish clear rules for online behaviour, including time limits and approved platforms. Create tech-free times and zones in your home. Encourage offline interests: Support activities and hobbies that don't involve screens. Foster strong family connections and positive peer relationships. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with new platform features, emerging online trends, and current youth interests. Use privacy settings: Ensure all your child's accounts have strong privacy settings enabled. Be wary of new contacts: Discuss the risks of interacting with strangers online and the importance of not sharing personal information. If you suspect your child has had contact with 764: Stay calm and supportive to maintain open communication. Document any suspicious content or interactions. Report concerning accounts or content to the relevant platforms. Seek support from school counselors or mental health professionals. In cases of explicit threats or exploitation, contact law enforcement immediately. Remember, the best defense against online threats like 764 is a strong family foundation, open communication, and well-developed digital literacy skills. By staying informed and maintaining dialogue with your kids, you can help them navigate the digital world safely and resist the influence of harmful networks. FR versionAre your social media posts giving away too much this holiday season?
Written by Lynne Barrington (Communications Manager, TELUS Technology Strategy) In the excitement of the build up to the holiday season, it can be tempting to share our festive updates online. Posting about get-togethers, travel plans and the gifts we’re buying or receiving is all part of the fun, but oversharing could inadvertently let crooks know they have an ideal opportunity to strike. We don’t need to look far to find examples of how seemingly harmless posts have invited more than just ‘likes’. Social media users from all walks of life have found themselves the victim of crime after sharing too many details online. Kim Kardashian fell prey to ill-intentioned “followers” in 2016 after making numerous social media mentions about her location and flaunting pricey designer wares. When police caught up with the group that held her up in a Paris hotel, they admitted to following her posts to track her activities. “The jewels were shown on the Internet, and [she said] that she didn’t wear fakes,” one robber told police. ”You just had to look at the Internet and you knew everything, absolutely everything.” It’s not only famous people who are susceptible. Recently, a couple charged with a string of robberies in the U.S. confirmed they had prowled social media sites in search of victims. Another thief even ‘liked’ a post about a family’s vacation before seizing the opportunity to break into their house. Closer to home, this Canadian family made headlines when they were burgled after sharing news of their new pickup truck and upcoming trip to Disney World online. The holiday season can be hectic as we look forward to travelling to see loved ones and finding the perfect gift. Lawbreakers know this too and they capitalize on the frenzy. Use these tips to help put security first and make the most of your festive season’s posts: Delay posting holiday pics – checking in at the airport and sharing vacation pictures in real time can be fun, but it also sends a clear signal to would-be thieves that you’re not at home. Play it safe by not mentioning holiday plans in advance and avoid posting pictures that show your whereabouts in real time. Disable geotags on your devices – every time you take a photo with your smartphone or digital camera, details about when and where it was taken are stored. Some social networks remove location information when photos are uploaded, but some don’t. To prevent strangers from using these tags to find you or your home, disable location services on your devices. Alternatively, you can remove EXIF data to purge personal information from images you post. Limit access – fraudsters often create fake profiles and “friend” others to acquire personal information. One of the simplest ways to thwart them is to limit access. Connect with or accept friend requests only from people you know, and control who can see your profile and posts by reviewing your privacy settings. Tag photos with care – we all know it’s best to avoid posting something we could regret later. But social media isn’t always about what you post – it’s about what others post, too. Think twice before tagging images of friends or family at holiday events as their privacy standards may differ from yours. It’s always best to ask for permission before tagging someone. To protect yourself from unwanted tags, you should also check your own privacy settings so that others need to request tagging you in a photo. For more tips on staying safe online this holiday season, check out the TELUS Wise Tip Sheet or book a workshop by emailing [email protected]. FR versionThe growing sextortion problem
Cybertip.ca - Canada’s tipline to report the online sexual exploitation of children. Cybertip.ca, Canada’s tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children, has seen a 62% increase in reports of teens being sextorted over the past six months, with males, ages 15–17, being the biggest target. What is sextortion and how does it happen? Sextortion is blackmail; it’s when someone online threatens to send a sexual image or video of you to other people if you don’t pay them or provide more sexual images or videos. Sextortion usually starts with normal online conversations. If the offender is successful in then moving the youth to a more private platform, the chat and requests quickly turn very personal and sexual. Recently, Cybertip.ca reports have noted it’s common to see initial contact on online platforms such as Omegle™, Snapchat®, or Instagram®, and then the communication moving to Google+ Hangouts® or Skype®, where youth are coerced to undress on camera. Teens are often tricked into doing this by thinking they are talking to a peer. For males, they can be under the impression the person is a female who has a sexual interest in them. Offenders have been known to go as far as using pre-recorded video—for example, a teen girl taking off her clothes—to convince the youth to do the same. The video chats are then screen recorded or screen grabbed, and the resulting images or videos are used to sextort the teen. Through Cybertip.ca reports it is not uncommon to see the offender request money in exchange for a promise not to post or share the teen’s intimate images or videos online or with others. Monetary demands range from $70 to $700. Typically, the extorter requests use of an online payment provider like PayPal®, but in a few instances, they’ve insisted on Google Play® and Apple® gift cards as payment. COVID-19 and increased time online for youth because of it has only exacerbated the issue. Sextortion can occur anywhere online and parents/guardians must be vigilant in discussing the risks facing youth online to increase awareness and reduce child victimization. What can i do if my teen is being sextorted? Stay calm and report it Immediately report what has happened to Cybertip.ca or contact police in your jurisdiction. Offenders who engage in sextortion are commonly targeting numerous children. Immediately have your teen stop all communication Deactivate (but don’t delete) any of the accounts your teen is using to communicate with the individual. DO NOT comply with the threat In other words, never pay money. If your teen has paid money, check to see if it has been collected and, if not, quickly cancel the payment. Keep the correspondence Keep information such as the person’s username(s), social media account information, a copy of the communications, along with any images and/or videos that your teen sent. Messaging to share with teens: how can cybertip.ca help Often teens have a hard time telling a safe adult about what’s happening to them online and try to deal with the situation on their own. Cybertip.ca offers youth a place to turn to for support and educational resources to help reduce their risk of victimization. Safe reporting If you are being sextorted, there is help! Report what has happened to Cybertip.ca through an online report form (you can remain anonymous if you choose) or via the toll-free number at 1-866-658-9022. If the situation involves an adult who has or is sharing an intimate image or video of someone under 18, it should be immediately reported to local police or Cybertip.ca. Help with image removal If the image or video has been posted online, Cybertip.ca analysts can help to get child sexual abuse material or intimate images of a minor removed from the platform. They can also help guide you on actions to take to have it removed yourself, if you prefer. Provide support Cybertip.ca analysts can provide practical steps to help regain control over the situation, including connecting youth to Canadian Centre for Child Protection (which operates Cybertip.ca) support services who work extensively with teens, schools, and families during instances of sextortion. They can help with everything from emotional support to connecting you with therapy or victim services, if needed. For more information and resources, visit cybertip.ca/sextortion. FR versionAre your social media posts giving away too much this holiday season?
Written by Lynne Barrington (Communications Manager, TELUS Technology Strategy) In the excitement of the build up to the holiday season, it can be tempting to share our festive updates online. Posting about get-togethers, travel plans and the gifts we’re buying or receiving is all part of the fun, but oversharing could inadvertently let crooks know they have an ideal opportunity to strike. We don’t need to look far to find examples of how seemingly harmless posts have invited more than just ‘likes’. Social media users from all walks of life have found themselves the victim of crime after sharing too many details online. Kim Kardashian fell prey to ill-intentioned “followers” in 2016 after making numerous social media mentions about her location and flaunting pricey designer wares. When police caught up with the group that held her up in a Paris hotel, they admitted to following her posts to track her activities. “The jewels were shown on the Internet, and [she said] that she didn’t wear fakes,” one robber told police. ”You just had to look at the Internet and you knew everything, absolutely everything.” It’s not only famous people who are susceptible. Recently, a couple charged with a string of robberies in the U.S. confirmed they had prowled social media sites in search of victims. Another thief even ‘liked’ a post about a family’s vacation before seizing the opportunity to break into their house. Closer to home, this Canadian family made headlines when they were burgled after sharing news of their new pickup truck and upcoming trip to Disney World online. The holiday season can be hectic as we look forward to travelling to see loved ones and finding the perfect gift. Lawbreakers know this too and they capitalize on the frenzy. Use these tips to help put security first and make the most of your festive season’s posts: Delay posting holiday pics – checking in at the airport and sharing vacation pictures in real time can be fun, but it also sends a clear signal to would-be thieves that you’re not at home. Play it safe by not mentioning holiday plans in advance and avoid posting pictures that show your whereabouts in real time. Disable geotags on your devices – every time you take a photo with your smartphone or digital camera, details about when and where it was taken are stored. Some social networks remove location information when photos are uploaded, but some don’t. To prevent strangers from using these tags to find you or your home, disable location services on your devices. Alternatively, you can remove EXIF data to purge personal information from images you post. Limit access – fraudsters often create fake profiles and “friend” others to acquire personal information. One of the simplest ways to thwart them is to limit access. Connect with or accept friend requests only from people you know, and control who can see your profile and posts by reviewing your privacy settings. Tag photos with care – we all know it’s best to avoid posting something we could regret later. But social media isn’t always about what you post – it’s about what others post, too. Think twice before tagging images of friends or family at holiday events as their privacy standards may differ from yours. It’s always best to ask for permission before tagging someone. To protect yourself from unwanted tags, you should also check your own privacy settings so that others need to request tagging you in a photo. For more tips on staying safe online this holiday season, check out the TELUS Wise Tip Sheet or book a workshop by emailing [email protected].Tree Trimming Guidelines for TELUS Cable Areas
Information about cables near power lines and safety guidelines for tree trimming. Property Owner Responsibilities Any trees located on private property are the sole responsibility of the homeowner, and we recommend reaching out to a professional arborist if necessary to handle any tree branch trimming near TELUS cables. For safety reasons, we advise to never trim near power lines. Note: Many TELUS cable strands are attached to portions of power-provided poles. If this is the case, please contact your power company to arrange for a tree-trimmer to be dispatched as electricity is involved. How to Identify Pole Ownership Check Google Maps: Switch to street view Drag view upward Look for power equipment You can also contact your city who may have their own trained arborists to deal with power poles. Otherwise, they will advise to contact the power company. When to Contact Each Authority Power Company: Poles with electrical equipment Shared utility poles Power line concerns City Services: Municipal tree management Permit requirements Public safety issues TELUS: Cable-only poles Service disruptions Infrastructure damage Note: Always prioritize safety and professional assessment when dealing with utilities. FR version
