The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have released a short documentary titled Protecting Innocence, highlighting the escalating threat of online child sexual exploitation. The film features a mother and daughter sharing their personal experience with online abuse, aiming to raise awareness among parents and caregivers.
In 2024, Ontario reported over 6,300 incidents of online child exploitation, accounting for 24% of all reports to Cybertip.ca nationwide. More than 1,000 of these cases were forwarded to police for further investigation. Predators are increasingly using social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps to lure children, often posing as peers to gain their trust.
Detective Staff Sergeant Tim Brown, leading the OPP’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) strategy, warns that artificial intelligence is exacerbating the issue. AI technology enables offenders to create synthetic child sexual abuse material, sometimes by digitally altering real images of children sourced from public social media profiles. This not only complicates investigations but also contributes to the spread of exploitative content online.
The OPP emphasizes the critical role parents play in safeguarding their children. They advise parents to monitor their children’s online activities, adjust privacy settings, and engage in open conversations about internet safety. Recognizing signs of grooming or exploitation is essential in preventing abuse.
Recent enforcement efforts, such as Project Orchard, underscore the severity of the problem. This operation led to 67 criminal investigations, 46 search warrants, and the identification of nine child victims. Authorities seized 313 electronic devices and laid 199 charges related to online exploitation.
The OPP urges communities to remain vigilant and report any concerns through Cybertip.ca, reinforcing that protecting children from online predators is a shared responsibility.
Source: This summary is based on a news article published by Global News. The full article can be found here: