Sharp Rise in Extreme Online Violence Against Girls Alarms Child Protection Experts in Canada

A disturbing rise in extreme online violence targeting girls on social media is raising serious concerns among child protection advocates, according to newly released data from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P).

The Winnipeg-based organization reports a sharp increase in violent cyber abuse cases since 2022, with the majority of incidents occurring over the past year. Between June 2022 and the end of December 2025, C3P’s platforms Cybertip.ca and NeedHelpNow.ca received 127 reports involving extreme forms of online violence against children.

The reports detail abuse affecting at least 75 child victims. Where gender was identified, girls accounted for 84 per cent of cases. Most victims were teenagers, though the youngest reported victim was just 11 years old.

According to C3P, the violence is often gender-based and involves aggressive, coercive tactics. These include threats to distribute intimate images, blackmail, doxing, and sustained harassment aimed at forcing victims into dangerous or degrading behaviors. In some cases, children were pressured to engage in self-harm, disordered eating, sexual acts, or acts of violence, including harming pets.

C3P data also highlights the platforms most commonly used by offenders. Discord was cited in 80 reports related to extreme online sexual violence since 2022, making it the most frequently mentioned platform. This aligns with public advisories issued by the RCMP warning about violent online groups targeting youth.

“This new and horrific type of abuse we see unfolding is heartbreaking and should concern all Canadians,” said Lianna McDonald, executive director of C3P. “These emerging forms of violence impacting girls and young women online are sadly deeply entrenched in our digital environments.”

The scale of the problem has grown rapidly. C3P recorded just five reports of extreme online violence in 2022. That number climbed steadily, reaching 70 reports in 2025 alone.

“The gaps offenders exploit are so often known, and these online services have the ability to do so much more,” McDonald said.

In response to the surge in cases, C3P has provided direct support to nearly 60 children and parents, forwarded more than 110 reports to law enforcement agencies, and issued close to 40 notices to online platforms.

The organization continues to call for stronger online safety regulations in Canada, emphasizing that digital platforms especially those used by children must take greater responsibility for preventing harm.

“Online services have a responsibility to take significant steps to ensure their platforms aren’t weaponized against their users,” McDonald added. “Children deserve digital spaces that do not expose them to violence, exploitation, or fear.”