At the Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce, we believe strong communities are built through awareness, education, and shared responsibility. That includes helping families, caregivers, and community leaders stay informed about the risks young people face online.
A recent public safety message from the Winnipeg Police Service highlighted growing concerns around online luring. This is an important reminder that digital safety is not only a parenting issue. It is a community issue.
What is online luring?
Online luring happens when an adult communicates with a young person through technology with the intention of gaining trust and making it easier to exploit, manipulate, or harm them.
These interactions can happen through social media platforms, messaging apps, online games, and websites. Platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and Discord are often part of young people’s daily lives, which makes open conversation and awareness especially important.
Why this matters
Many young people spend a large part of their social lives online. While these spaces can offer connection and creativity, they can also expose youth to people who do not have good intentions.
This is why adults must stay engaged, informed, and present. Community safety begins with everyday conversations, strong relationships, and early awareness.
What parents and caregivers can do
Here are a few practical ways to help protect young people online:
- Set clear expectations:
Create simple guidelines around texting, social media use, gaming, and online interactions. - Know the platforms they use:
Take time to understand the apps, websites, and tools young people are using regularly. - Use parental controls where needed:
Many platforms offer built in settings that can help monitor activity and improve safety. - Review followers and connections:
Check in regularly on who they are speaking with and who has access to their profiles. - Stay connected online:
In some cases, following or connecting with your child on the platform can help you stay aware of their activity. - Keep communication open:
Make sure young people know they can come to you without fear or blame if something feels wrong.
Help young people understand this clearly
One of the most important messages young people need to hear is this:
Online exploitation is never their fault.
Young people should know that if someone makes them uncomfortable, pressures them, manipulates them, or asks for inappropriate content or private conversations, they should tell a trusted adult right away.
What to do if you are concerned
If you believe a young person is being targeted or has already been harmed, take the situation seriously.
You can:
- Stop communication with the person involved
- Save screenshots, messages, usernames, and any relevant details
- Report the incident to police using the non emergency line
- Contact Cybertip or Winnipeg Crime Stoppers
- Call 911 if there is an immediate emergency
- Use online crime reporting tools where available
In Winnipeg, the non emergency police line is 204 986 6222.
Community awareness matters
Protecting young people online is not something families should carry alone. Schools, mentors, organizations, community leaders, and service providers all have a role to play.
At BMCC, we know that empowered communities are informed communities. Conversations like this help us build safer environments for youth and stronger support systems for families.
Digital safety starts with awareness, but it grows through action, trust, and community care.
Let this be a reminder to check in, ask questions, and keep the conversation going with the young people in your life. A few simple steps today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow.
Phone: +1-888-973-8403
Email: info@bmbcc.ca
Be the first one to receive latest updates.
EN 
FR