Internet safety is an important concept, especially when talking about children. The Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety understands how important internet safety is and continues to fund the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit. They now have the funding for an additional two investigators, one in Saskatoon and one in Regina.
With the two newly added positions, the ministry now funds nine ICE investigators across three municipal police services: Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert. The ministry also invests in five RCMP resources committed to the provincial ICE unit. With funding, the ICE unit has conducted a record 853 Investigations in 2021. In 2022-23 the total provincial contribution to ICE is $2.1 million.
If you didn’t know, ICE is an integrated policing unit that works toward investigating and apprehending perpetrators of child sexual exploitation. The main goals of the ICE unit are to reduce the vulnerability of children to internet predators, identify victimized children, and investigate and assist in the prosecution of sexual offenders. The additional ways that Saskatchewan addresses sexual exploitation of children and youth is through prevention, outreach, harm reduction, treatment, and police services.
"It is important for all parents and caregivers to speak with their children about internet safety; it takes a village to keep our kids safe online," Provincial ICE Coordinator Shawn Stubbs said. "Thank you to the dedicated individuals that work at Sask. ICE for your vigilance in protecting Saskatchewan children."
Ways you can help defend your kids online include:
- Check your child's chat or messaging program to ensure it is set up so that no one can begin speaking to them without permission.
- Enable controls and privacy settings on apps/services to limit who can see posted photos or videos.
- Monitor the use of cameras on your child's devices, as well as the posting and exchanging of pictures/videos online.
- Know and explore the online games your child wants to play and determine if the game is age-appropriate.
- Use filtering options available on search engines to help moderate search results.
- Model for your child how to make careful decisions about what you record and share online.
- Explain the difference between secrets that are ok to keep and secrets that need to be told to a safe adult.
- Learn about internet safety, and the risks involved with the internet.
- Take opportunities to teach your child about proper internet safety. Such as never giving away your password or personal information.
- Stay alert to any sudden changes in your child’s behavior. Often, kids communicate with their behavior rather than their words.
