Skip to content

Alberta RCMP offers tips for parents to keep kids safe online

Alberta RCMP are urging parents to be aware of their children’s online activity and online trends.
16185803_web1_180816-RDA-ponoka-mischief_1

Alberta RCMP are urging parents to be aware of their children’s online activity and online trends.

Police say there are new trends and viral videos emerging “at all times.” For example, there have been allegations on social media of the “48-hour challenge,” which dares youths to go missing for 48 hours to earn points based on the number of times they are mentioned during their disappearance.

“We don’t want youth putting themselves in danger to keep up with online trends,” said Sgt. Raymond Tardif of the K Division missing persons unit.

“We remind parents to be aware of their children’s online activities and remind them that fake reports divert resources from legitimate emergencies and investigations.”

Police say every missing person report is taken seriously and investigated with all available resources. Investigations on current and recent missing youths have not shown any link to the “48-hour challenge.”

Police offer the following tips for parents to keep children safe while using the internet:

  • Set rules for what your children can and can’t do online;
  • Teach your children to check with you before downloading anything;
  • Set the expectation that you will monitor children’s use of devices;
  • Use parental controls;
  • Discuss what children are allowed to share online;
  • Keep open lines of communication;
  • Encourage kids to talk to you if something makes them feel uncomfortable.



Send your news tips

Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter