Amid rise in online child exploitation cases, northern Ontario police cite AI, social media as predator tools

Police in northern Ontario report a dramatic rise in child sexual exploitation cases, with incidents nearly quadrupling nationwide since 2014. Detectives in Sudbury, North Bay, and Timmins cite AI, social media, and gaming platforms as key tools used by predators to target children, often through emotional manipulation like 'love bombing' or threats of image release. Detective Sergeant Jason Majkot of Greater Sudbury Police Service’s internet child exploitation unit says offenders frequently pose as children online to build trust before demanding explicit images or arranging in-person meetings. Statistics Canada data shows a 374% increase in police-reported incidents between 2014 and 2024, while Cybertip.ca receives an average of six daily sextortion reports. Many cases originate from suspicious activity flagged by U.S.-based social media companies, which are legally required to report child exploitation to authorities. Sudbury police handle hundreds of such cases annually, with undercover operations and public complaints also driving investigations. Timmins Police Service has seen a similar rise, noting four exploitation cases already this year despite handling only four annually on average. Detective Sergeant Kathryn Beatty of Timmins police highlights the post-pandemic surge in online exploitation, as children spent more time on apps and gaming platforms. She emphasizes that offenders range from working professionals to students, with no typical profile. Recent cross-border investigations, like one involving Surrey police and a British Columbia-based suspect with victims across Canada, underscore the national scope of the issue.