Photo courtesy of Dreamstime / Flynt

By Scott Roblin

Spike in Cases

ICE Unit reporting spike in provincial online child exploitation cases

Apr 23, 2020 | 5:34 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The shift online during this pandemic is keeping kids and teens connected with their friends and schoolwork, however it’s also drawing out more reports of online predators in Alberta.

This as new numbers from ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit show a distressing spike in online cases this spring.

Sgt. Kirt Murray with ICE’s Southern Alberta Unit said the jump in unsupervised time online for children is likely the main reason for such a jump.

“We know that our offenders are often online as it is,” said Murray. “Now we have kids at home that have more unsupervised access to the internet doing their schoolwork from home. We find our offenders are targeting these kids more now and presenting more of an opportunity to exploit them.”

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In the month of March alone, the ICE Unit received 243 reported instances of online child exploitation which was an increase of 103 cases from the month prior.

It also marked a 106 percent increase in the number of cases year over year compared to March of 2019, which saw ICE respond to 118 cases.

“It’s alarming to see the increase,” said Murray. “We need parents to assist us in helping to educate their kids so that we can bring these numbers back down. I think it also has a lot to do with our social media companies being more proactive in reporting incidents to the police.”

The spike in cases has prompted the ICE Unit to ask parents to exercise vigilance when monitoring their kids’ online activity.

According to Murray, the best thing parents and children can do is have an open dialogue to discuss dangers online and what to do if they believe someone is being lured.

“They need to educate themselves about the internet so that they can make informed decisions about which types of platforms their kids are accessing,” said Murray. “There needs to be more checks in with the kids to help teach them about the risks and dangers of using the internet.”

The variety in social media platforms has presented a unique challenge as well, with kids and teens being able to access the internet through many different outlets.

He also added that most kids have grown up with the internet in some form or another and in many cases can feel a degree of invincibility using it.

“It’s a great tool for education and social interaction, but it needs to be used properly,” he said. “If it’s not, kids find themselves in positions they just don’t know how to get out of. I think a lot of kids feel confident using the internet, but they don’t know the consequences of providing too much information to people that they don’t know.”

Over the first three months of 2020, the ICE Unit has arrested 21 individuals and laid 61 charges while four children have been rescued from sexual exploitation and instances of luring.

Murray said it’s a distressing thought for most parents to have something like this happen to their children, but added it’s important for kids to know the dangers and have someone to talk to.

“Be informed about what the devices your child has, which different types of applications they’re using, and how they’re using them,” said Murray. “Just let them know that they can turn to [you] if something goes wrong.”

Anyone with information about a child exploitation or child luring case is asked to contact Medicine Hat Police or visit cybertip.ca.