The staff at St. Timothy Elementary School are putting a strong focus educating their students about safety precautions when online. In recent months, the Regina Police Service (RPS) held presentations at the school about safe online activity. During the presentations, it was revealed although many younger students didn’t have phone access, a large percentage of them regularly played online with people they did not know. “We just want our parents to know about the dangers that are there, so that they can help their kids be safe online,” said Bill Weir, the principal of St. Timothy Elementary School. Weir has been in the education sector for 28 years. He said with the rise of the internet and technology, every year comes with new challenges protecting students. “When we hear these things, even though it’s not our stuff we still inform the parents, so they at least know and work with their kids,” he explained. The RPS school resource program regularly meets with classrooms to speak about safety. They also cater to whatever situation the students may be dealing with. Todd Jerome is the supervisor of the school resource program for the RPS. Jerome said serious situations can begin through online gaming. “There are people out there who are predators who go into these things. They start the process, grooming them, getting an address or cell phone,” he said. Next week, St. Timothy Elementary School is hosting an event for parents to learn about the potential dangers kids face online. Other Catholic schools in the area have been invited to attend. “There are so many threats. We think it only happens in Vancouver or Toronto. It’s very real here as well,” Weir said.
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