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Halifax police say they have arrested a youth who is facing several child pornography charges related to involvement in an online extremist group.
Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean told reporters at a news conference Tuesday that this is a case all parents should be paying attention to.
RCMP Sgt. Danielle Pollock with the internet child exploitation unit said the youth was involved in an international virtual community that glorifies violence and cruelty.
Police began investigating the case in May and say the youth was an active member of an online group called 764, which is a subgroup of the larger Com Network.
The group uses the chat feature on social media and gaming platforms to connect with vulnerable young people, many between the ages of eight and 18.
Victims are manipulated into recording or sharing intimate images or sexual activity, acts of self-harm and violence against others and animals.
Pollock said these perpetrators may groom their victims over many weeks or months to establish trust and an online friendship before manipulating them into performing such acts.
Police said they were unable to specify whether there were any Canadian victims.
In a news release, police urged parents and guardians to speak with their children about online safety and privacy and shared the following tips:
- If your child is playing games online, put controls on who they can talk to. Talk to them about who they are playing with online and what kinds of conversations they’re having.
- Encourage your child not to use headphones when playing online games. Keeping the sound on helps parents spot unsafe conversations with strangers.
- Ensure children are using electronic devices in shared family areas and not behind closed doors. Keeping devices in open spaces helps parents stay aware of what children are doing online, who they’re talking to, and what content they’re viewing.
- Remind children never to share personal details like their name, school, address, photos or videos on social media or gaming apps.
- Be aware of who your children are talking to and take note if they start to become more private or withdrawn. Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult if someone is making them feel uncomfortable or pressured.
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