Online child exploitation spiked in COVID, may be here to stay [Video]

Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia.

Data show the problem spiked during COVID-19 when children began spending more time online — but rates did not wane as police anticipated after lockdowns ended.

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In B.C., they soared, almost quadrupling from 2021 to 2023.

Const. Solana Pare is now warning exploitation of children is likely here to stay, as a technological race between police and predators gains momentum.

“Technology is becoming more and more available, and online platforms and social media sites are being used by children younger and younger, which provides an opportunity for predators to connect with them,” Pare said in an interview.

Police say …