Rise in online child luring crimes in Canada amid calls for stricter legislation

Experts in child protection warned of the expanding risks of online sexual exploitation in Canada, with a noticeable increase in digital luring crimes against minors, at a time when calls are growing to enact legislation that obliges digital platforms to take greater responsibility in monitoring harmful content and preventing child exploitation.
According to data from Statistics Canada, the police recorded 16,905 incidents related to online sexual exploitation of children in 2024, while electronic sexual crimes against children increased by 43% compared to the previous year, driven by a sharp rise in cases of online luring.  
Specialists believe that digital platforms have become an "ideal environment" for exploiters, due to the ease of communication with children, anonymity, and the rapid exchange of images and conversations, which complicates the ability of parents and security agencies to intervene early.
Child protection organizations in Canada demand a stricter legal framework that imposes clear preventive measures on technology companies, obliges them to promptly report exploitation attempts, remove abusive materials, and enhance tools to protect minors online.
Data from Cybertip.ca indicates that public reports related to online sexual exploitation of children increased by about 8% in 2024, reflecting the continued expansion of the phenomenon despite security and awareness efforts.