Law enforcement agencies are warning parents about a rising rate of sexual incidents involving youths on Omegle, August 1, 2023. (Photo: Transversospinales | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Rising rates of sexual violence against children on Omegle: report

Aug 1, 2023 | 9:16 AM

LETHBRIGDE, AB – One of Omegle’s taglines is “Talk to Strangers,” and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (CCCP) is warning parents to be vigilant about their children using the website.

The CCCP said there have been an increasing number of incidents of sexual violence against children where the victim and perpetrator had spoken with each other on the website.

The agency explains that Omegle pairs anonymous users in one-on-one chatrooms without asking for any identifying information.

“Two check boxes are all that stands between youth and a stream of chat rooms filled with strangers who can seemingly do whatever they want,” said the CCCP, adding that one box signals that the user is 18 years or older and the second acknowledges that the user has reviewed and agreed to Omegle’s terms of service, privacy policy, and community guidelines.

The CCCP said, “Neither of these check boxes prevent someone under 18 years old from entering the website and are quick to execute.”

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

According to Cybertip.ca, there has been an average of one report of online sexual exploitation of children on Omegle every two days during the year ending in June 2023. That is an increase of 122 per cent from 2021-22 and up 397 per cent from 2018-19.

Of the more-than 180 reports received this past year, Cypertip.ca reports that over 120 of them involved concerns about someone communicating with a child for a sexual purpose through Omegle. The remaining reports were about users allegedly sharing child sexual abuse material through the platform.

In many of the cases were suspects were communicating with children, the CCCP said the perpetrators obtained information on how to connect with the youth outside of Omegle.

The CCCP recommends that parents block Omegle from any devices their children use and talk to them about the risks they may face online.

Anyone who sees, reads, or hears about anything sexual from an adult towards a child can report it to Cybertip.ca or their local law enforcement.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

—

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.