A London man has been arrested in connection with suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
With kids online earlier and more often, experts said parents need to take a more active role in keeping them safe.
Carmi Levy, Technology analyst and journalist (via: LinkedIn)
Technology analyst and journalist Carmi Levy said a lack of supervision is a key risk.
“A few years ago, being online meant using a shared computer in the living room or rec room that was visible to Mom and Dad,” he said. “Today, kids can go online anywhere on a smartphone or tablet.”
Levy said parents should talk openly with their children about online risks and model safe behaviour themselves.
“The internet does not have a delete button,” he said. “Once you post something, it can be copied, shared or stored, and it may be online forever.”
He said guidance should be based on trust, not control, so kids feel comfortable coming forward if something goes wrong.
Levy said potential predators may be “cagey and secretive,” hard to find outside an app and may pressure kids to meet or send sexualized images.
He urged kids who feel unsafe to talk to a trusted adult.
“Nobody will blame you or shame you. It’s not that you did something wrong. You need help, and there are people around you to provide it,” he said.
Experts said parents should build trust, set a good example, teach kids about online risks and supervise their social media use.
A search warrant was executed Tuesday by the Internet Child Exploitation Unit at a residence on Limberlost Road, where officers found an electronic device containing suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
The suspect has been charged with two counts of possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material and one count of importing, selling or distributing child sexual abuse material.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 19.
For more information on staying safe online, visit www.getcybersafe.gc.ca.
