For many parents, social media feels like a digital extension of everyday life, group chats, screenshots, stories, and posts that disappear after 24 hours. For teens, it’s where friendships happen, conflicts unfold, and mistakes are often made in public. What many families don’t realize is that some online behaviour can cross from “school trouble” into criminal charges, sometimes very quickly.
As a criminal lawyer in Toronto, Dalraj Bains, regularly speak with parents who are shocked to learn that a message sent in seconds can have long-term legal consequences. Understanding where the legal lines are can help parents guide their kids before a problem escalates.
Screenshots Change Everything
One of the biggest misconceptions teens have is believing messages are private or temporary. In reality, anything that can be seen can be saved. Screenshots, screen recordings, and message backups often become evidence in criminal investigations.
Even deleted messages can resurface. Parents should help teens understand that if they wouldn’t want a teacher, parent, or police officer reading a message later, it probably shouldn’t be sent at all.
Online Threats Are Taken Seriously
Many teens treat online threats as jokes or emotional reactions. Unfortunately, the law doesn’t always see it that way.
Messages such as:
- “You’ll regret this”
- “I’ll hurt you”
- “You’re dead tomorrow”
can be interpreted as criminal threats, even if the sender didn’t intend to act on them. Context matters, but once a message is reported, the situation is no longer fully in your child’s control.
Parents should stress that anger and humour don’t translate well online, and that words carry real weight.
Harassment Doesn’t Require Repetition Forever
Another common misunderstanding is that harassment only applies after long-term behaviour. In fact, a short burst of messages can qualify if they’re threatening, intimidating, or persistent enough to cause fear or distress.
Group chats can be especially dangerous. When multiple teens pile on, even passively, it can quickly turn into criminal harassment. Liking, forwarding, or encouraging harmful messages may also be considered participation.
Sexting Can Become a Criminal Matter, Even Between Teens
This is one of the hardest conversations for parents, but it’s also one of the most important.
When minors create, send, or possess explicit images of themselves or others, the law may treat those images as illegal content, even if everyone involved is the same age and consented.
This means:
- Asking for images
- Sending images
- Saving images
- Forwarding images
can all carry serious legal consequences. Many teens don’t understand that a single screenshot shared out of spite or immaturity can permanently change someone’s life, including their own.
Impersonation and Fake Accounts
Creating fake profiles to embarrass, intimidate, or trick someone isn’t harmless. Impersonation can lead to charges related to fraud, identity misuse, or harassment, depending on the situation.
Parents are often surprised to learn that pretending to be someone else online, even as a “prank”, can be treated as intentional deception with legal consequences.
Reposting Can Be Just as Risky as Posting
Teens often believe they’re safe if they didn’t create the content themselves. That’s not always true.
Reposting or forwarding:
- Threatening messages
- Explicit images
- Defamatory statements
can expose teens to the same legal risk as the original sender. Helping kids understand shared responsibility is critical in a digital-first world.
School Discipline vs. Criminal Charges
Parents sometimes assume that if something happens between students, the school will handle it internally. In reality, schools often must involve police when conduct crosses certain thresholds.
What starts as a school issue can quickly become a police investigation, especially when there’s digital evidence. Once law enforcement is involved, parents should pause and seek legal advice before allowing interviews or statements.
What Parents Can Do Right Now
You don’t need to spy on your child to protect them. Open communication goes much further.
Helpful steps include:
- Talking openly about online behaviour and consequences
- Setting clear expectations around respectful communication
- Encouraging kids to pause before posting or responding emotionally
- Reminding them they can come to you if something feels wrong online
Most importantly, parents should know that early legal advice can prevent long-term damage. Well-intentioned cooperation, rushed explanations, or informal apologies can sometimes make things worse if handled incorrectly.
A Final Word for Parents
Most teens don’t set out to break the law online. They act impulsively, emotionally, or without understanding the consequences. Your role isn’t to frighten them, it’s to equip them with awareness, boundaries, and support.
Social media moves fast, but the legal system doesn’t. Helping your child slow down, think ahead, and ask for help when needed can make all the difference.
