A parent of an eleven year Cochrane child (remaining anonymous) prompted Cochrane RCMP to send out safety tips regarding internet safety.

The mom of the child visited RCMP after the youth who was playing the popular online game 'Roblox' was lured from their chat room to chat with a 'friend' in an anonymous chat room on an APP called AntiLand. 

While Cochrane RCMP members were not necessarily familiar with the AntiLand APP the child fell victim to receiving extremely lewd sexual content including pictures from the supposed friend. With users of the APP and chat room having anonymous profiles and not connected to an IP address, Cochrane RCMP is sharing pointers and safety tips in hopes to prevent a child from being victimized.

With users of chatrooms being from virtually anywhere, parents need to protect their children from predators that prey upon young people.

Cochrane RCMP, Constable Kary Moore says while cases like this are not reported that often to our local detachment, they can lead to extremely dangerous places for young people. "It could lead a youth, if they are chatting to someone online that they don't know, to give out their address, phone number, or school they attend and that could lead someone (the adult) attending the residence, the school or the house and taking advantage of the young person who doesn't know they are in danger."

Cst. Moore shares nowadays with even toddlers having access to electronic devices and the internet, safety needs to be a priority at all times. "The internet is an important tool for children and teens; with the increased usage in homes and schools by various age groups, the RCMP are encouraging parents to take a proactive approach to protect their children from online exploitation."

Some safety tips Cst. Moore shares are as follows: 

  • Be open with your children and have respect for one another.
  • Know the apps or sites your children are using.
  • Have computers, IPads and phones in a common area where you're able to observe what they are doing.
  • Remind kids to never share personal information with strangers this could leave them open to manipulation and mistreatment.
  • Discuss the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
  • Discuss the types of problems that may arise from sharing private and intimate information electronically, including pictures and videos.
  • Know who they are talking to – have you met them in person and do you have their contact information? Anyone can be anyone on the internet.
  • Explain to your children, adults should not try to become friends with them or ask them inappropriate questions.  If this occurs, it is NOT safe and they should tell a safe adult.
  • Tell your children to never arrange for a one-on-one meeting with anyone they meet online.
  • Teach your adolescents that it is illegal to distribute an intimate image of someone without their consent.
  • Remind your kids they can always talk to you if they need your help, without worrying about getting into trouble.

Cochrane RCMP also state if you learn your child or teen has been subjected to something inappropriate you should immediately report the activity to our local detachment by calling 403-851-8000 and report the incident to Cybertip.ca 

Constable Moore says, in addition, you should make sure your child has stopped all contact with the individual(s), blocked their accounts, and make sure all accounts used to communicate with the individual are deactivated to prevent them from contacting the youth in the future. 

While Constable Moore could not confirm whether or not the Cochrane detachment was seeing an increase or decrease of reports like this, she reminds parents to be extra vigilant when it comes to keeping their children safe when they are using the web.

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