Latest news with #youthsafety
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
RCMP warn parents of rise of online bullying, exploitation among youth in White Rock, B.C.
Police in White Rock, B.C., are urging parents to be cautious of their children's phone use amid an increase of explicit content sharing and bullying online. White Rock RCMP issued a statement Monday morning describing a noticed increase in 'negative behaviours' on the internet, particularly on apps that users believe can not be traced back to them, alongside a reminder that youth aged 12 and older can be charged with Criminal Code offences for online misconduct. This includes serious offences such as sharing intimate images of another youth without consent, online harassment, or making threats through digital platforms. Children and teenagers are advised to never share personal or explicit photos or videos, and to not talk to strangers online — even if they seem to be a child or teenager themselves. Any suspicious or uncomfortable behavior should be reported to a trusted adult, said the RCMP. 'If you wouldn't want your parent, teacher or coach to see what you are sending, it's probably not appropriate to send,' said Youth Relations Officer Const. Chantal Sears, in a news release. 'Social media apps such as Snapchat and Discord, and others, can be traced back to you even after what you have sent disappears or is deleted. It's important to treat your online life as you would your regular life.' As for parents, the RCMP recommended they work to gain a better understanding of what apps their child uses, who they are talking to online, and what content they are sharing. Boundaries should be set, with clear rules established for when screen time is allowed and where in the home devices can be used. 'I have yet to investigate a file where nude images were sent from the kitchen or family room. They have always been sent from the bedroom or bathroom with parents or guardians present inside the home,' said Sears. Conversations should be embarked on regarding online behavior and what content is appropriate, and parents should create a safe space for their child or children to report anything uncomfortable they experience online. The RCMP suggests enabling privacy settings on all devices. Sudden changes in behavior, secrecy about phone use, or receiving gifts or money can be 'red flags' that signal there may be issues online, Mounties said.
CBC
29-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Edmonton-area youth, 15, arrested for terrorism-related offence
An Edmonton-area youth, linked to a violent online network that targets vulnerable children, has been arrested for a terrorism-related offence, RCMP said Thursday. RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region's National Security Enforcement Team arrested the 15-year-old on May 12, police said in a news release. The youth is in custody and police have commenced proceedings "by way of a terrorism peace bond pursuant to section 810.011 of the Criminal Code – fear of terrorism offence." Investigators believe the youth would commit terrorism offences related to the 764 online network. The 764 network targets vulnerable children by prowling gaming sites like Minecraft and Roblox and then luring victims into private online chats on Discord and Telegram. RCMP said the network is an "online ecosystem of violent online predators who routinely lure youth, particularly those in vulnerable sectors, and encourage them to commit sexual acts, self-harm, and the torture of animals." Elements of the network "are known to have extreme ideological views and are victimizing children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence," the news release said. The youth, who can not be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on June 3.
ABC News
27-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
From childhood games to public spectacle, Run It Straight has taken a deadly turn
A New Zealand teenager has died from serious head injuries after taking part in a private contest inspired by the viral Run It Straight challenge, where players bulldoze into each other at full speed. What started as a childhood backyard pastime has grown into large-scale events attracting crowds, influencers, and prize money up to $200,000. As this trend spreads from Australia's diaspora around the world, concerns are growing about the risks of brain injuries and the intense pressure on young men to prove themselves. This Pacific Pulse special explores the cultural roots of Run It Straight, the rising dangers, and calls for greater awareness. Lefaoali'i Dr Dion Enari is a Samoan academic and Associate Professor at Unitec in Aotearoa, New Zealand within Ngā Wai a Te Tūī Māori and Indigenous Research Centre. Dr Andrew Affleck is a medical scientist and Brain Bank Manager at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Onehunga Mata'uiau is a former Manu Samoa rugby player and coach who leads a rugby academy focused on developing young players' skills with an emphasis on safety. Shenei Penaia is a mental health worker and advocate based in Naarm, Melbourne, Australia.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Congress has so far failed': Former surgeon general warns about social media risks for youth
Warning that the absence of regulation has created a dangerous digital environment for the country's youth, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is calling on Congress to take action on social media safeguards for children. His remarks come as lawmakers work to push forward President Donald Trump's megabill — a sweeping legislative package with implications for immigration, defense and health care — but with limited attention to online safety or tech regulation. 'It's the equivalent of putting our kids in cars with no seat belts, with no airbags, and having them drive on roads with no speed limits and no traffic lights,' said Murthy, who served under former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, during an interview on NBC's 'Meet the Press' that aired on Sunday. 'And that is just morally unacceptable. I think Congress has so far failed in its responsibility to protect our kids.' Efforts to establish rules for platforms popular among young people, like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, have long stalled amid industry lobbying and political gridlock. A law requiring TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese-owned parent company or be banned in the United States took effect in January. However, Trump signed an executive order upon his return to office that delayed the law's enforcement by 75 days and granted the app a second reprieve last month. The president has praised the app for engaging young people with his presidential campaign. Murthy raised concerns about the effect of technology on adolescent mental health, citing escalating loneliness, disappearing in-person friendships and a culture of self-comparison online. For a solution, Murthy called on Congress to implement 'real safety standards' for social media platforms, including issuing warning labels for them 'so that parents and kids are aware of the risks.' Murthy also stressed the importance of increasing data transparency requirements for platforms, comparing the measure to the historical precedent of auto safety laws. 'Researchers routinely say they can't get the full data about the impact of these platforms on our kids' health from the companies,' Murthy said. 'But just like we did for cars a few decades ago, we'll be putting safety standards that got us seat belts, airbags, crash testing and those have reduced the number of deaths.' Murthy recommended that parents wait until their children are at least in middle school before allowing them to have social media accounts. For children already using the platforms, he advised parents to establish tech-free zones in their households. 'But it's not too late,' Murthy said, referring to Congress. 'They need to step up and act now.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Parents warned of a worrying increase of young people carrying knives
Officers said they had noticed an increase in the number of young people carrying knives at a recent community meeting. Police said that there was a problem with young people carrying knives and tackling this started at home, with parents have to take responsibility to educate children, and remain vigilant. The alert was issued at the Partners and Communities Together held at Ladybridge Community Centre as the crime stats for the area were detailed and initiatives were announced, including a crackdown on speeding. Officers are working with young people who have got into trouble. Speaking at the meeting Community Safety Officer Aaron McCarthy said: 'We have given 19 advice letters to young people so far this year, with a total of 47 young people on their first warning. READ MORE: 'In total we have also given out 13 final warnings, which means that the young people get a support worker from the police who are able to jobs" target="_blank">work with them over a six month period. 'We have also given out two Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC) this year.' ABC's are a voluntary agreement between a child (10-17 years inclusive), in some cases a parent and the local authority/police where the child agrees not to be involved in certain anti-social acts. If breached, it may be used as evidence in Court to support further legal action. Localised data shared at the meeting also revealed that a community speed watch scheme is in the works, which is likely to be implemented on Ladybridge estate by the end of summer. Speaking at the meeting, Neighbourhood Inspector Jamie Hibbert said: 'Operation Classify is currently targeting speeding drivers across the borough. 'We have issued more traffic offence reports than any other neighbourhood and have also seized 15 vehicles alone this year for traffic offences. 'For the area, the solved rate for the last six months is just under 40 per cent- which is extremely high.' Vehicle crimes in Bolton West are on a downward trend, with a total of 3,400 crimes down from last year, the recent PACT meeting has revealed. Police at the meeting said that the number of solved crimes made by Bolton West's Neighbourhood Policing Team totalled to 2,351. That is 127 fewer than the previous year. Personal robberies had also gone down by 6.6 p er cent in the last 12 months, with a total of 3,387 crimes. Cllr Anne Galloway and Councillor Martyn Cox were also in attendance of the meeting. Speaking to The Bolton News Cllr Galloway said: 'PACT meetings are a vital opportunity for local residents to raise concerns, in setting local policing priorities and also in building trust and relationships. 'If residents are interested in voicing local issues, PACT meetings provide a great platform to do so.'
