CyberCops

CyberCops is an educational, computer-based program that teaches students in Grades 7 & 8 about the risks and safety issues associated with Internet use. CyberCops assists students in acquiring the skills needed to recognize and respond to situations that threaten their personal safety and well-being as a result of using the Internet.

CyberCops consists of two resources, Mirror Image (for Grade 7 students) and Air Dogs (for Grade 8 students). Each resource is designed to be used in a classroom setting and features a game that invites students to assist the real life characters in a truly interactive, gaming experience. The resource also includes a Parent/Teacher Guide, lesson plans that are directly linked to the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum (2010), and tools for students to develop an Internet Safety Plan. CyberCops addresses elements of the Personal Safety and Injury Prevention component of the Healthy Living strand of the H&PE Curriculum (2010) and is available in both English and French.

Mirror Image is the first game in the CyberCops series. It is based on a real case study from Eastern Canada. Three criminal behaviours are introduced to students: cyberstalking, Internet luring and child pornography.

Air Dogs is the second game in the CyberCops series. Based on a real case involving a young student, Air Dogs was designed to open a dialogue with young teenagers to make them more aware of the consequences of being involved in the following three types of Internet crime: credit card fraud, software piracy and bullying.

The CyberCops resources were originally developed and distributed in 2006/2007 with a funding grant from the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Victim Justice Fund.

Through the generous support of the Ministry of Education, Ophea has revised and redistributed the CyberCops resources to ensure continued relevancy and access to these valuable resources. The resources have been revised to align with the 2010 Health and Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum. In addition, the CyberCops software has been updated to be compatible with new technology and it is now accessible for direct download. One hard copy of each of the CyberCops resources was distributed to each publicly funded school in Ontario with a Grade 7 and or Grade 8 classroom in March 2012. Additional copies of the resource are available for free download.

CyberCops was made possible by a grant from the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of the Attorney General's Victim Justice Fund. Redistribution of the CyberCops resources was made possible by generous support from the Ministry of Education. Partners: Ontario Provincial Police and LiveWWWires Designs Ltd.