TORONTO - A massive child pornography investigation has led to dozens of arrests across Ontario -- including five people under 18 -- and the identification of two young victims.

The effort -- part of a provincial strategy to protect children from sexual abuse on the Internet -- involved police forces across Ontario, OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino told reporters Wednesday at a Pearson airport-area hotel.

Investigators executed 44 search warrants, arrested 35 people and laid 122 charges during recent days.

"Every child has a right to be nurtured and a right to be safe and most assuredly protected from abuse," the impassioned Commissioner said. "Simply stated, child pornography is the sexual abuse of children, period.

"The services associated with the provincial strategy remain steadfast in their resolve to hunt down these child predators and keep our communities safe," he added.

During the province-wide probe, Fantino said investigators also identified two child victims -- one in Ontario and one outside Canada.

No details were released.

The accused, one of whom allegedly had about six million images on his computer, include 30 men from across Ontario. Five are from the GTA -- Toronto, Markham and Ajax.

The five youths taken into custody include two 15-year-olds, one 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds.

"It's a particular concern when at such a young age we have ... basically children abusing children," Fantino said.

"It should be a concern to all of us."

Fantino said he is also troubled by the amount of weapons that were seized during the sweep.

"The availability of weapons on the street can have, and just this week has had very tragic consequences," he said, referring to OPP Const. Vu Pham, who was gunned down north of London on Monday.

The charges against the 35 accused include making, accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography, as well as sexual assault, criminal harassment and voyeurism. Investigators also laid some drug and weapons charges.

He said the Internet has led to "an explosion" of "horrific" sex crimes against kids.

And police across the province are working constantly to keep up with the "growing" problem.

The provincial strategy incorporates the efforts of 18 municipal police forces, including Toronto, Peel, York and Durham.

Since it was created in 2006, police have wrapped up 8,260 investigations and laid 3,394 charges against 1,130 people in Ontario.

"Parents and guardians need to educate themselves about the technology their children are using to adequately protect them," said OPP Insp. Scott Naylor.

"Unfortunately, most parents are lagging far behind their children in their understanding of web technology."

chris.doucette@sunmedia.ca