Online predators are taking advantage of children spending more time online during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a significant increase in cases of child exploitation. In British Columbia, the number of cases almost quadrupled from 2021 to 2023. Nationally, the rate of online child sexual exploitation reported to police rose by 58 per cent from 2019 to 2022. The RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre received 118,162 reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation offences from April 2023 to March 2024, a 15 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Online platforms and social media sites are being used by children at increasingly younger ages, providing opportunities for predators to target them.
One common type of child luring is communicating with youths online to get them to produce sexual abuse material. With the rise of technology, the term “sextortion” has entered the vocabulary as more cases come to light. Tragic incidents such as the suicides of Amanda Todd and other victims highlight the devastating consequences of online exploitation. Police are adapting to technological advancements to keep up with the changing online landscape, and there is increased social awareness and legislation around mandatory reporting of child abuse material from social media companies.
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, along with law enforcement agencies, are advocating for the adoption of the Online Harms Bill introduced by the federal government. The bill covers various harms, including the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and content that can be used to bully children. In the absence of national legislation, some provinces have enacted their own laws targeting unauthorized distribution of intimate images. While provincial legislation is necessary, there is a need for a more comprehensive approach to address online exploitation, which is borderless and involves multiple actors across different countries.
The rise of online child sexual exploitation has prompted calls for stronger regulations and measures to protect children online. The Canadian government is considering splitting the Online Harms Bill into two parts, with a focus on keeping children safe online and combating predators and issues related to revenge pornography. Measures include the creation of a Digital Safety Commission of Canada to hold social media companies accountable and ensure they reduce risks to users, particularly minors. Further efforts are needed to address the scope and scale of online exploitation, which is becoming more prevalent with the increasing use of electronic devices and social media by children.
Cases of online child sexual exploitation continue to increase, with police working to stay ahead of predators through digital technology training and artificial intelligence. The safeguarding of children online requires collaboration between law enforcement, social media companies, and government bodies. International cooperation is also crucial in addressing online crimes that transcend borders. While progress has been made in raising awareness and implementing legislation, more needs to be done to protect children from the perils of online exploitation. The Online Harms Bill and other regulatory measures aim to address gaps in the current system and provide a safer online environment for children.
