Navigating digital risks with an updated Online Safety Toolkit

A refreshed online safety resource has a new home.

Featuring new content and updated resources, the City of Lethbridge’s Online Safety Toolkit now lives on the Lethbridge Police Service website. The revamped toolkit helps families and youth stay safer in today’s digital world.

Part of the Builder Safer Communities (BSC) initiative, the toolkit was launched in October of 2024. It’s a go-to resource for all ages, offering clear, practical guidance on high-risk behaviours. Families and communities can easily access tips and tools to stay safe while online.

"When our program started, the BSC team met with school divisions and organizations that serve youth in Lethbridge to identify gaps in services and education,” says Ashley Killins, Safer Communities Educator. “Online safety education was one area that was consistently identified. The toolkit began as a resource for families but has grown into something much bigger."

Staying safe online starts with having the right information. The toolkit covers several topics, including:

• Violence
• Cybersecurity
• Gang recruitment
• Fraud and scams
• Parental controls
• Social media apps
• Navigating real-time digital risks

The updated version includes new information, refreshed resources, and improved design and navigation. New sections include:  

• In the News - Highlights local online risks featured in the media. Topics include social media gang recruitment, online radicalization and the rise of online sexual exploitation.
• Youth Zone - Offers supports for youth when things get risky online. Topics include cyberbullying, tips for safe online interactions and the risks of sharing intimate images and messages.

"We often hear from youth, caregivers and school staff that they don't know what risks to look for online,” says Brandee Brown, Safer Communities Educator. “They want to know what to do if someone is being hurtful or creating an unsafe environment. The Youth Zone offers important safety tips and ways to report unsafe or illegal activity.”

One of the toolkit’s greatest strengths is its focus on prevention. It equips families with strategies to address online risks before problems arise.

“Police are often called to provide resources after something has already happened,” says Cst. Chris Andrade, Youth Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Justice Program Officer with the Lethbridge Police Service.  “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the City of Lethbridge’s Building Safer Communities team, this new toolkit offers proactive strategies for families to manage online risks effectively.”

All parents, caregivers, educators and young people are encouraged to explore the toolkit and use it as a starting point for safety-focused conversations at home, in schools and across community settings. 

Let’s work together toward a safer digital future.

For Public Inquiries:
Call or chat with 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.