What Ottawa Police Want Parents to Know About Teen Safety This Summer

Last week I had the opportunity to host Constable Sarah Marcantonio from the Ottawa Police Youth Unit for an evening of conversation with parents.

The discussion covered everything from social media and online safety to teen independence, shopping malls, human trafficking awareness, gaming, and one topic that surfaced again and again: how do we keep our kids safe while still allowing them the freedom they need to grow?

What followed was a practical, honest conversation filled with insights that every parent of a tween or teen should hear.

As both a parent and someone who works with youth every day, I appreciated that the conversation focused less on fear and more on practical ways to help young people build confidence, make good decisions, and stay connected to the adults in their lives.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the evening.

"How Much Freedom Should I Give My 13 Year-Old?"

This was one of the most common questions of the night.

Many parents are trying to find the balance between protecting their child and preparing them for the real world. We grew up in a generation where we rode our bikes for hours, disappeared with friends, and came home when the streetlights came on.

Today's parents are often asking a very different question:

"Is it safe for my child to spend an hour at the plaza with friends?"

According to Sarah, the answer is yes—but safe doesn't mean risk-free.

Overall, Barrhaven remains a relatively safe community for young people. Like any community, there are concerns parents should be aware of, including shoplifting, vaping and substance use, online risks, inappropriate contact from strangers, and peer pressure.

At the same time, Sarah's recommendation was not to keep kids sheltered from every situation.

Young people need opportunities to build confidence, independence, and street smarts.

The goal isn't to eliminate every risk, rather it is to teach our kids how to navigate risk safely.

Cst. Marcantonio also reminded parents that even good kids can make poor decisions from time to time. The goal isn't perfection—it's creating opportunities for learning while the stakes are still relatively low.

✔ Start small with this age group (13–14 years old). An hour at Riocan, a local plaza, or the mall with friends can help build confidence, independence, and street smarts.

✔ Gradually increase freedom as your child demonstrates responsibility.

✔ Have conversations about safety before they're needed.

✔ Teach youth to trust their instincts and make good decisions.

✔ Remember that confidence, resilience, and street smarts are built through experience.

One comment that stood out was that youth who generally make positive choices and spend time with positive peers tend to avoid many of the situations parents worry most about. While there are certainly youth engaging in risky behaviours, they often travel in very different circles. The takeaway wasn't fear. The takeaway was preparation.

Safety Isn't Just About Rules—It's About Having a Plan

One of the most practical discussions of the evening focused on helping youth know what to do if they ever find themselves in an uncomfortable situation.

Whether it's at the mall, with friends, at a party, or simply being approached by someone who makes them uneasy, having a plan matters.

✔ Encourage a FaceTime call if there's a concern. Seeing the people and surroundings can help parents make quicker, more informed decisions.

✔ Cst. Marcantonio suggested using a location-sharing app such as Life360. Life360 | Family Tracking App | Location Sharing & Family Safety She viewed these as valuable safety tools, particularly for younger teens gaining independence.

Create a family code word.

Choose a word, emoji, or symbol that only your family knows. If your child ever feels uncomfortable, unsafe, pressured, or simply wants an excuse to leave a situation when they are away from you, they send the code word.

The rule?

• No questions asked.

• You pick them up.

The priority is getting them home safely. The conversation can happen later when everyone is calm. Many teens won't ask for help directly, but they may use a code word if they know it gives them a safe and judgment-free exit.

What Parents Should Know About Bayshore and the Rideau Centre

The conversation also touched on personal safety in public spaces.

Sarah noted that concerns have occasionally been reported in and around larger shopping areas, including Bayshore. Her message was not one of fear, but of awareness. Parents can use these opportunities to teach youth practical safety skills, such as staying with friends, trusting their instincts, and knowing where to seek help if needed.

✔ Encourage youth to stay with friends and avoid wandering off alone.

✔ Trust your instincts. If something feels off, leave.

✔ Seek help from security or store staff if needed.

Sarah also expressed significant concerns regarding youth spending time independently at the Rideau Centre and encouraged parents to carefully consider whether it is an appropriate location for their child without adult supervision.

These conversations aren't about creating worry—they're about helping young people feel prepared, confident, and capable when they're out on their own.

The App Parents Should Be Paying More Attention To

Interestingly, Snapchat wasn't the platform that generated the most discussion.

Sarah spoke more about Roblox, online gaming platforms, public chat features, and AI chatbots that allow youth to communicate with people they don't know.

Many parents are surprised to learn that some of the greatest risks online are not always found where they expect them.

✔ Get curious about your child's online world.

✔ Ask them to show you the apps they use.

✔ Learn how chat features work.

✔ Know who they are communicating with online.

She strongly recommended the White Hatter as an excellent resource for parents wanting to better understand social media, gaming platforms, privacy settings, and online safety.https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/

She also highlighted Take It Down, a free resource that helps remove or prevent the sharing of intimate images involving youth.https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/

Summer Needs More Structure Than We Think

Summer freedom can be great, but too much unstructured time can create challenges.

Sarah encouraged parents to think about how they can keep youth engaged throughout the summer months. That doesn't necessarily mean expensive camps or packed schedules.

It means having some structure.

One of the recurring themes of the evening was that youth tend to do better when they have people, places, and purpose built into their week.

✔ Consider volunteer opportunities, part-time jobs, sports, or community programs.

✔ Partner with other families to create shared supervision opportunities.

✔ Give teens responsibilities around the house.

✔ Consider setting limits around Wi-Fi access when youth are home alone for extended periods.

Local opportunities such as YOMA (Youth of Manotick Association) https://www.yoma.ca/ and the Boys and Girls Club on Prince of Wales were highlighted as positive places for youth to connect and stay active.Tomlinson Family Foundation Clubhouse | Locations | BGC Ottawa

The Most Important Takeaway of the Night

For all the discussion around social media, gaming, shopping centres, tracking apps, and online safety, the strongest protective factor discussed that evening wasn't technology at all.

It was connection.

Teenagers may ask for more independence. They may spend more time with friends. They may become interested in activities that don't make much sense to us as parents.

But they still need us.

Sometimes connection means taking an interest in something you honestly couldn't care less about.

• Ask about the game.

• Watch the video.

• Learn about the app.

• Go for the drive.

• Spend time in their world.

Because the stronger the connection between parent and child, the more likely that young person is to come to you when they need support, guidance, or help navigating a difficult situation.

As we head into summer, perhaps the goal isn't choosing between freedom and safety.

Perhaps it's building both.

Giving our kids enough freedom to grow, enough support to learn from mistakes, and enough connection to know they never have to navigate life's challenges alone.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful summer.

-Jennifer LeClair Avery

Founder of Healthy Routes