Foothills County Policing
Office: 403-933-6600
Non-Emergency complaints: 403-933-4262
Email: KFoothillsEngagement@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
MOUNTIE MOMENTS
Foothills County Policing
RCMP Turner Valley Detachment
Read the Original PDF documents:
September 2025
Foothills County RCMP remind parents to protect children’s privacy online this back-to-school season
Foothills County, Alta. – As students head back to the classroom, the Foothills County RCMP is encouraging parents and guardians to be cautious about what they share online, especially when posting those much-anticipated first day of school photos.
In recent years, it has become popular for families to mark the occasion by sharing pictures of their children holding signs or boards displaying fun facts, such as their name, age, grade, favourite things, and the school they attend. While these posts are well-intentioned, the personal details they contain can put children at risk.
Information shared online can be used by strangers to identify a child, learn their routines, or build a false sense of familiarity. Someone could use these details to approach a youth and pretend to be a family friend or trusted adult, when this is not the case.
To help keep kids safe, the High River RCMP encourages parents and guardians to consider these online safety tips:
- Leave out identifying details. Avoid including the name of your child’s school, home address, or other specific personal information in photos.
- Be mindful of locations. Take pictures in places that do not reveal your home, neighbourhood, or other easily identifiable spots.
- Limit what you share. If you want to include a sign, keep it generic with wording like “First Day of School” rather than listing detailed personal facts.
- Review privacy settings. Ensure your social media accounts are set to the highest privacy level before posting.
- Have ongoing safety talks. Speak with your children about online safety and “stranger danger,” both in-person and online. Establish a family “safe word” and identify trusted adults they can turn to.
Tips for children:
- Never share personal information online, such as your last name, address, school name, or other identifying details.
- Always have a parent or guardian review photos or videos before you post them.
- If something online makes you uncomfortable or feels unsafe, tell a parent or trusted adult immediately.
For more safety tips follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on X @RCMPAlberta.
As always, report any suspicious activity to your local RCMP Detachment, 24/7:
- Turner Valley RCMP – 403-933-4262
- High River RCMP – 403-652-2356
- Okotoks RCMP – 403-938-4202
Or reach out to us by calling 310-RCMP (7267) for non-emergency complaints
Stay safe and keep an eye out for one another.
