At the White Hatter, we firmly believe in the vast learning, social, and entertainment opportunities the Internet provides for young people. Yet, it’s also crucial to acknowledge the potential risks, especially concerning online sexual predation and exploitation that targets youth. As parents, caregivers, and educators, it’s vital to grasp these dangers and actively safeguard our children.
We just finished reading the new Stats Canada report, “Online Child Sexual Exploitation: A Statistical Profile of Police- Reported Incidents in Canada, 2014 to 2022” that was just released (1), and here are some of our takeaways:
- Only a small proportion of sexual offences, including those involving children, come to the attention of the authorities. This underreporting is compounded by the fact that sexual offences involving children are even less likely to be reported. Young people face significant barriers in reporting or even recognizing online sexual abuse, often experiencing feelings of humiliation, embarrassment, or being blackmailed or threatened into silence. As a result, accurately determining the true prevalence of these crimes in Canada is exceptionally challenging, necessitating reliance on “police-reported” statistics.
- In 2022, the rate of police-reported online sexual offences against children reached 34 incidents per 100,000 children and youth, which was slightly higher than the rate in 2021 (33 incidents per 100,000)
- The prevalence of online sexual offences against children continues to rise. Between 2021 and 2022, there was an 18% increase in online child sexual exploitation, accompanied by a 33% surge in the making or distribution of child pornography.
- Online luring continues to emerge as a significant threat, constituting a substantial portion of police-reported online sexual offences against children, with an alarming 815% increase in reports between 2018 and 2022.
- Many child-luring offenders do not meet their victims offline, and in these situations, the sexual offence is perpetrated entirely online. Between 2018 and 2022, the Canadian Center For Child Protection noted an 815% increase in reports of online luring through Cybertip.ca, Canada’s national tip line. Police-reported data show a 53% increase in luring incidents during the same period
- Between 2014 and 2022, most (82%) victims of online luring were youth (aged 12 to 17 years) and, of these, 84% were girls. The median age for victims of luring was 13 years.
- Anonymity online means that perpetrators of these crimes can easily conceal their identities, posing a real danger to unsuspecting children and youth. Most victims of online luring and non-consensual distribution of intimate images are youth, disproportionately affecting girls aged 12 to 17. However, boys, particularly between the ages of 15 and 17, are also vulnerable, especially to sextortion.
- When it comes to the non-consensual distribution of an intimate image the median age of victims was 15 years for girls and 14 years for boys. The median age of accused persons for this offence was 15 years for boys and 14 years for girls. Nine in ten (90%) persons accused of this offence were youth. Specifically, boys aged 12 to 17 accounted for two-thirds (66%) of all accused persons, while girls aged 12 to 17 accounted for just under one-quarter (23%). One-third (33%) of youth victims said that a casual acquaintance was responsible for the distribution of their intimate images, while around one-quarter said they were victimized by a current or former dating or intimate partner (28%) or a friend (21%). A stranger was the perpetrator in 14% of such incidents. Similarly, a casual acquaintance was also the most common perpetrator in NCDII incidents involving child victims (those under the age of 11yrs), followed by a friend and a stranger (39%, 18% and 16%, respectively).
The above-noted statistics underscore the need for proactive measures to protect our children in today’s onlife world. Parents must remain vigilant and be actively involved in their child’s online activities, especially when it comes to pre-teens and younger teens. Remember – the average age for online luring is 13yrs of age. This underscores the significance of why having the right technology, introduced at the right age, with appropriate parental scaffolded accessibility is so important. (2)(3)
Empowering children with critical thinking skills enables them to differentiate between safe and risky online behaviors, empowering them to make informed decisions thus building online resiliency. Establishing clear guidelines regarding the sharing of personal information online and familiarizing children with reporting mechanisms for online abuse are vital steps in safeguarding their well-being. However, it is important to understand that even the most digitally literate child can still fall prey to online predation and exploitation – these online threat actors are good at what they do! Moving away from teaching “stranger danger” to teaching “situational danger” should be the primary prevention goal in today’s onlife world specific to the topic of online predation and exploitation.(4)
In instances where online sexual exploitation is suspected, swift action must be taken. Seeking support from law enforcement agencies, child protection services, or mental health professionals is imperative to address the situation effectively. However, if your child doesn’t feel at ease sharing what happened with a parent or some other adult they trust, it could hinder them from seeking the help they need.
The insights gleaned from this Stats Canada’s report shed light on the concerning rise of online sexual predation and exploitation targeting children and youth. It is evident that proactive measures are essential to safeguarding our children in today’s onlife world. Vigilance from parents, coupled with empowering children with critical thinking skills, is paramount in mitigating risks. Swift action and collaboration between law enforcement, child protection services, and mental health professionals are crucial in addressing instances of online exploitation effectively. Yet, fostering an environment where children feel safe to report abuse is equally vital. By working together across various sectors, we can foster a safer online environment for our children, ensuring they can navigate the digital world with confidence and security.
By working together, we can create a safer digital environment for our children. Prioritizing our kid’s safety and well-being in today’s onlife world requires proactive efforts from parents, educators, policymakers, and technology companies alike. Let’s unite in our commitment to protecting our children from the dangers of online sexual predation and exploitation, ensuring they can explore the onlife world in a safer and more responsible way.
If you are looking for resources on how to educate you and your kids about online sexual predation and exploitation, check out these FREE resources that we offer to parents, caregivers, and educators:
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
References:
1/ https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2024001/article/00003-eng.htm
4/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/why-teaching-stranger-danger-doesnt-work-an-onlife-world-perspective/
