Some popular social networking sites can pose big risks

The content and a shocking lack of restrictions can make some social media sites dangerous, especially for young people.

Recently, 21 people were arrested from Manitoba to Alberta, facing charges from online luring to indecent exposure and distributing child pornography.

The RCMP and local police say it was the result of a massive online investigation into file-sharing networks and common chat programs.

It’s is further proof that those who prey on children are still finding ways to locate victims online.

Cyber safety expert Rob Nickel says parents must keep an eye on what’s happening online because it’s so easy to find personal information.

“Within a minute and a half, I’ve got a name, an address, I know the school she goes to, I’ve got her phone number, I’ve got some of her friends’ names.”

Over the last few years, websites like chatroulette.com have made things even easier, and it has landed them on the radar of police forces across Canada.

The site, which is free and has few restrictions, instantly connects random strangers around the world via webcam.

Nickel calls it the scariest thing he’s seen online so far, and yet many parents are unaware of its existence.

He explains what is commonly visible, “In that two minutes I had three men masturbating, I had one woman masturbating…and all the rest were young kids. And I would say easily under the age of 14.”

The description fits with what CTV News found when logging on to the site for just a few minutes.

Social media expert Amber MacArthur says “The problem with most of these programs is that there are no restrictions. So that children of any age can access them instantly…and talk to people who live somewhere else.”

The slogan ‘Talk to Strangers!’ belongs to Omegle.com, another website which seems to be gaining in popularity.

A CTV employee logged on posing as a 14-year-old girl. The person at the other end says he’s a 31-year-old man. He closes the chat within seconds after being refused a photo.

Waterloo Region police Sgt. Rob Cowan say shutting these types of sites down isn’t easy.

“We don’t have international police per se that can get online and do these things, and unfortunately Chat Roulette was created by some 15-year-old teenager in Russia.”

Experts and law enforcement are urging parents to get involved and educate themselves for the protection of their children.

Coming up in part three: How both kids and adults can protect themselves and whether you have any options when it comes to deleting your online presence.