St. Thomas, ON – Thursday March 19th 2026
As March Break continues, the St. Thomas Police Service is reminding families to stay mindful of online safety as children and youth may be spending more time online and on their devices.
Increased screen time can expose young users to risks such as online predators, inappropriate content, scams, and unsafe interactions on popular platforms.
Many of the same apps used during the school year including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Discord, Roblox, YouTube, and WhatsApp can present risks if privacy settings are not properly managed or if users are connecting with people they do not know.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take a few simple steps to help keep kids safe online:
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Review and update privacy settings on apps and devices
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Enable parental controls and security features such as two-step verification
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Remind children not to share personal information, photos, or their location
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Encourage open conversations about who they are interacting with online
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Report and block any suspicious or harmful activity
Online safety starts with awareness. Taking a few minutes to check in on devices and have conversations can help prevent issues before they arise.
Anyone who encounters suspicious online activity is encouraged to report it to police.
