The Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre is fighting back against the growing number of children targeted by online predators.
Executive Director Brian Bratt says they're going into schools, teaching "innocent friendships" can turn into trouble.
Recently a man targeted children in Niagara, out west, New York and St. Louis. "Since the incidents, they (the kids) all developed eating disorders, they had lost a lot of friendships at school, became more withdrawn, and had depression."
This year alone, over 300 children reached out to the Centre for help, and from 2018-2022, there was a 53% increase in police reported child luring nationally.
He urges parents to keep an open line of communication with kids. "Probably the most important thing kids need to know is that if they get in trouble online, or if any of these things happen, there has to be a trusted adult they can go to, that parents need not judge, and be open that if kids need help, parents are there for them."
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