The mother of a Calgary teenager says she was skeptical when her 14-year-old was contacted on Facebook by a modelling agency.

Emily Boyd received a message from local modelling agency Numa Models, asking her to contact them if she was interested. While the teen was excited, her mother was uncomfortable that the agency contacted a minor.

“Even when it is the idea of scouting for models I am concerned about direct approaches to kids individually. It says ‘I know, I've seen you I have an interest in you and your appearance or your talents or whatever it is. I know your friends and I have an opportunity for you',” said Alison Boyd.

“The way that they went about approaching her just seems not above board.”

But Twyla Hayes, an owner of Numa, said her agency uses Facebook all the time.

“For me, I feel it's non-abrasive, it's non-threatening. They have the option to message back and inquire more and they have the option to completely decline the offer.”

The owner of another local agency said she doesn’t use the same tactics. Patti Falconer said people who are interested in modelling will call her.

“You don't see the medical schools out there on Facebook looking for doctors. Well, it's the same for modelling, you don't go out and look for the model — the model looks for you because they want to do that.”

The Boyds say they're being cautious, but Emily may still look into modelling.