With warmer weather pulling kids outdoors, the RCMP is encouraging families to have important safety conversations to help children recognize risks, build confidence, and stay safe.
As children walk to friends' houses, visit parks or play outside more frequently, officers say it’s a critical time for parents and caregivers to discuss boundaries, online safety and what to do when something doesn’t feel right.
“Teaching kids how to recognize unsafe situations and trust their instincts is one of the best ways to protect them,” the RCMP said in a release Monday. “Even a few open, age-appropriate conversations can make a difference.”
The warning follows a recent disturbing incident in Rosetown, Sask., where a 27-year-old man from Victoria, B.C., was arrested after allegedly travelling to meet a 16-year-old girl he had been communicating with online.
Angela Hawkins, the girl’s mother, shared the experience publicly on social media to warn other families, writing that despite her best efforts to monitor her daughter’s online activity, the signs were easy to miss.
“We were checking their phone and there was nothing, no clues. We were doing everything right, we thought,” Hawkins wrote in a May 16 post. “Parents, watch your kids, their devices. Everything. They are crafty. And it can be SO dangerous.”
The man was taken into custody by RCMP after a local resident noticed suspicious activity and alerted police. Hawkins credited that person for acting quickly and said she has since contacted the Military Police.
The Alberta RCMP says there are several proactive steps families can take to help prevent incidents like this, including:
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Teaching kids to never go anywhere with someone they don’t know.
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Encouraging them to say no and leave situations that make them uncomfortable.
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Using a family password system for unexpected pickups.
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Discussing who trusted adults are and identifying safe places nearby.
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Walking or biking regular routes with children and reviewing what to do in emergencies.
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Reviewing privacy and safety settings on smartphones and apps.
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Practicing real-life “what would you do if…” scenarios.
“Safety conversations shouldn’t be one-and-done,” said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, Acting Media Relations Manager for Alberta RCMP. “Ongoing discussions with your kids about how to navigate both online and in-person situations are essential.”
For more safety resources, families are encouraged to follow the RCMP on Facebook (@RCMPinAlberta) and X (@RCMPAlberta).