Winnipeg Police Service are reminding parents and guardians of the possible dangers regarding unsupervised use of the internet by unsuspecting children and teens.

Many children are not aware of online predators lurking in cyberspace, searching for unsuspecting victims. The predators attempt to establish relationships with children in order to obtain and/or exchange inappropriate photographs of them. This could result in children being exposed to inappropriate material or photographs children being distributed to other child pornographers. Others may attempt to meet with them in person which could result in children being sexually assaulted or exploited.

Winnipeg police made a recent internet luring arrest when a member of the Winnipeg Police Service ICE Unit, posing as a 13-year-old female, was approached online by a male through an instant messaging service. The language and suggestions made to the “teen” by the male gradually became more and more explicit.