Core Insights - Canadians are increasingly vulnerable to scams, with one in three reporting fraudulent job or CRA-related texts in the past three months [1][9] - The Equifax Cybersecurity Survey indicates a significant preparedness gap, with many Canadians unsure of how to respond to identity theft or scams [2][4] - A growing concern exists regarding the protection of children from online threats, with 82% of Canadians worried about their children being taken advantage of online [7] Survey Findings - Nearly two-thirds of Canadians would contact the police if their identity was stolen, while 79% would reach out to their bank [2] - 13% of respondents admitted to clicking on a fraudulent link, and 6% reported having their identity stolen [3][9] - The survey shows that 97% of Canadians believe protecting themselves online is important, and 93% feel the same about protecting their families [4] Evolving Threat Landscape - The perception of vulnerability to identity theft has increased from 53% in 2015 to 81% in 2023 [6] - Scams are perceived as immediate and personal, arriving through familiar channels such as text, email, and social media [4][6] - 31% of Canadians received fraudulent job texts and 29% received CRA or banking scam texts in the last three months [9] Desired Protections - 31% of Canadians feel they need to do more to protect themselves online, with secure VPNs, anti-virus software, and password managers being the most cited tools [10] - Equifax emphasizes the importance of education and awareness in combating fraud, offering resources for monitoring credit and protecting identity [6][10]

Core Insights - The article discusses the various online dangers children face and emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in safeguarding their online activities [2][3][4]. Group 1: Online Harms to Children - Children are exposed to a range of online harms from infancy to late teens, including developmental issues, harmful content, exploitation by online predators, privacy breaches, and mental health challenges [2][4]. - Excessive screen time can negatively impact cognitive development and social skills, while inappropriate online content can affect learning and judgment [4]. Group 2: Parental Guidance and Protection Measures - Ongoing conversations about online safety and setting clear guidelines are crucial for protecting children [3][5]. - Recommended protective measures include establishing rules for internet access, imposing physical limitations on device usage, and prioritizing online safety education [5][6]. Group 3: Digital Security Solutions - Equifax offers a subscription service, Equifax Complete Protection, which includes parental controls, daily credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, and device protection to enhance online safety for children [6][8]. - The service costs $34.95 per month and provides various features aimed at protecting personal information and monitoring suspicious activities [7][8].