White Rock, B.C. – The White Rock RCMP is urging parents and guardians to take a more active role in overseeing their children’s cellphone use, amid rising incidents of cyberbullying, sexting, and other harmful online behavior among youth.
With mobile phone use beginning as early as elementary school, police have seen a concerning increase in the sharing of explicit content and digital harassment—often through apps like Snapchat and Discord that young users believe are anonymous or untraceable.
“It’s important for youth to understand that once something is shared online, it can’t be taken back,” said Constable Sears, Youth Relations Officer. “And yes, we can trace messages—even on apps that claim otherwise.”
White Rock RCMP also emphasized that youth aged 12 and older can face criminal charges for online misconduct, including sharing intimate images without consent or making threats.
Tips for Parents:
- Stay involved in your child’s digital life.
- Set screen-time and app usage boundaries.
- Enable strong privacy settings on all devices.
- Talk regularly about online safety and conduct.
- Watch for behavioral red flags such as secrecy or mood changes.
Advice for Youth:
- Never share explicit content, even with someone you trust.
- Don’t engage with strangers online.
- Report anything suspicious to a trusted adult.
- Treat your online actions like real-life ones.
Constable Sears added a practical observation: “I have yet to investigate a case where explicit images were sent from the kitchen or living room. These things typically happen behind closed doors—usually from bedrooms or bathrooms, even with parents at home.”
The RCMP encourages open communication, education, and appropriate restrictions on cellphone use as key steps to keeping children safe in the digital world.
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