RCMP are urging parents to talk to their kids about safely using social media sites after up to 80 youth may have been victimized in the Kootenay-Boundary region. RCMP are urging parents to talk to their kids about safely using social media sites after up to 80 youth may have been victimized in the Kootenay-Boundary region. iStock

RCMP in Trail, B.C., announced that seven charges have been laid against a youth in the Kootenay-Boundary region for using social media to sexually lure and make threats against other youth.

Police warn there could be dozens more victims.

Cpl. Dave Johnson said police received a complaint on Nov. 14, when a 13-year-old boy told his parents about some disturbing online activity.

He said another boy bullied him into adding him as a Facebook friend by threatening physical violence. The victim said the "friend" then started making sexual demands, pressuring him to take off his clothes in front of a webcam.

Police announced this week that a youth has been arrested and charged with one count of uttering threats, two counts of luring a child, two counts of extortion, and two counts of invitation to sexual touching.

Dozens more may have been victimized

RCMP said they are not releasing the young suspect's age or information on where he lives, but police have said he is a minor.

Cpl. Dave Johnson said police seized the suspect's computer and that the investigation is ongoing. Johnson said it is possible that dozens more teens — boys and girls — may have been victimized.

"We're talking close to 80 potential victims that we're going through the process of identifying through Facebook," he said.

Trail, B.C.

Trail, B.C.

Johnson said the suspect appears to have chosen his victims because they live in the Kootenay-Boundary area.

He said parents need to have frank discussions with their kids about what they do online.

"It just speaks to us, in the widespread nature of social media websites like this. Children may feel it's a safe environment being their own home, their own bedroom," he said.

The suspect will make his first court appearance in early December.

RCMP said that in the meantime, he is only allowed to go online with direct adult supervision, and may only contact peers under the age of 16 if an adult is present.