Some teenagers are finding a dangerous use for cheap, disposable cameras, turning them into Taser-like weapons.

The modified cameras aren't common but are increasingly being found in school lockers, said Sgt. Tom Farquhar, who is in charge of Edmonton's school resource officer program.

Police consider these devices weapons, he said.

"For something serious like that, we will initiate a charge and the principals are behind us 100 per cent.

"This is a youth that has really crossed the line and is jeopardizing the safety of the school, the teachers in the school and the whole reputation of the school."

Instructions on the Internet

A seven-minute video available on the internet describes how to make the transformation — by popping out the back and adding a few wires. Other sites also give information on how to make such homemade stun guns.

Matt Robertson, 17, said his friend made one in about five minutes using a camera and a 12-volt battery. He asked his friend to shock him to see what it felt like.

"Your whole body goes stiff," he said. "You fall to the ground and if you have to go to the bathroom, you'll pee yourself. I just wanted to see how much it hurt, and it hurt."

Robertson claims he has been shocked by a police Taser, and the camera version isn't nearly as powerful. But he says they should still be taken seriously.