In a recent announcement dated February 22, 2024, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) highlighted the growing concern surrounding the use of digital platforms by the youth in Montreal. The SPVM is urging parents and their children to exercise increased caution while navigating digital applications and online games. The lack of necessary safeguards can leave young individuals vulnerable to a myriad of online risks. These dangers range from being swayed into participating in perilous challenges, encountering unsolicited and inappropriate content, to facing more severe threats like intimidation, sextortion, and internet luring.
The SPVM has outlined how these online crimes can have lasting repercussions on the lives of young people. As part of the community’s efforts to combat these threats, the importance of parental awareness and supervision cannot be overstated. Predators often exploit the anonymity provided by the internet to assume false identities, making it easier for them to engage with and exploit unsuspecting victims. They aim to extract personal information or intimate images from their targets.
To assist parents in safeguarding their children from these digital dangers, the SPVM offers several prevention tips. A fundamental measure is understanding the age restrictions on social media applications, with most requiring users to be at least 13 years old. Additionally, parents are encouraged to conduct thorough research into any application before it is downloaded for their child. This research should include reading informative articles about the app, understanding how it operates, and being aware of the types of content that can be accessed through it.
By taking these proactive steps, parents in Park-Extension can help create a safer online environment for their children, ensuring they remain protected from the various risks that lurk within the digital realm.
