TechPression

Tag: child abuse

  • Online child abuse surging across Africa, experts warn

    Online child abuse surging across Africa, experts warn

    Concerns are mounting over the alarming rise in online child abuse across Africa, posing significant threats to future generations and the continent as a whole.

    This pressing issue was highlighted during the two day National Consultation of Sexual Exploitation of Children in Nigeria, organised by the Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) in partnership with ECPAT International.

    The concerns raised follow a recent study by the University of Edinburgh’s Childlight Global Child Safety Institute, revealing that over 300 million children worldwide face online sexual exploitation and abuse each year. Researchers found that in the past year alone, nearly 13 percent of the world’s children have been victims of non-consensual sharing and exposure to sexual images and videos.

    The study, based on data from major global watchdogs and policing organizations such as the Internet Watch Foundation and Interpol’s International Child Sexual Exploitation database, also uncovered numerous cases of solicitation, including unwanted sexting and requests for sexual acts. Stakeholders therefore for stricter regulation of social media to ensure children’s safety and prevent further exploitation.

    Read also: Meta introduces new features to enable teens avoid sextortion scams

    ECPAT Highlights Shocking Statistics

    Willy Buloso, the Regional Coordinator for Africa at ECPAT International, raised that the statistic is high due to the minors’ young ages, submissiveness, and fear of speaking out, hence the rapid spread of child abuse in Africa. 

    Willy Buloso, ECPAT International's Regional Coordinator for Africa at national consultation of the sexual exploitation of children
    Willy Buloso, ECPAT International’s Regional Coordinator for Africa at the National consultation of the sexual exploitation of children

    He stressed that many people are unaware of the severe dangers posed to society and the victims themselves.

    Buloso also highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive cooperation among all stakeholders to combat these crimes. This includes civil society groups, government agencies at all levels, telecom companies, social media platforms, parents, children, social workers, and caregivers.

    Such collaboration is crucial to ensuring a quick response to this growing threat. Additionally, Buloso called for more research to develop long-lasting solutions to online sexual exploitation of children.

    WOCON
    L-R: Director of WOCON, Morenike Omaiboje, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, and WOCON’s Project Consultant, Femi Abe at the National Consultation of Sexual Exploitation of Children in Nigeria

    On her part, the Director of WOCON, Morenike Omaiboje, highlighted how cultural and religious beliefs affect children in the country and expressed concern over the rising rate of child sexual exploitation. She noted that family and friends often interfere, significantly contributing to the exploitation.

    She emphasised the importance of educating children, particularly in rural communities where awareness is lacking. Omaiboje hence urged the government to focus more on children’s needs and collaborate with civil societies. “The government should make sensitization more available in rural communities, which are the most vulnerable,” she advised.

    Femi Abe, a member of the team conducting research on sexual exploitation of children in Nigeria, highlighted emerging trends such as online child sextortion, increased exploitation of boys, and online blackmail. He also pointed out that poor policy enforcement, an inadequate reporting system, limited helplines, insufficient manpower, and a delayed justice system are key issues contributing to the surge in child sexual exploitation.

    Focus on Justice and Compensation for Survivors

    Representing the Attorney General of Lagos State, Moyosore Jubril Onigbanjo, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, stressed the importance of not only seeking justice but also ensuring compensation for survivors of sexual abuse. She argued that while jailing offenders is essential, focusing on helping the victims recover is equally important.

    Read also: Behind the Decision: X’s Shift on NSFW Content

    Brainstorming Lasting Solutions on Sexual Exploitation of Children

    In efforts to find lasting solutions, the consultation saw representatives from civil society, government agencies, and community and religious leaders brainstorming on various strategies. 

    Grassroots involvement was emphasised to educate local communities about the sexual exploitation of children. Using both mainstream and digital platforms, public-private partnerships and media engagement were also highlighted as crucial for raising awareness and leveraging resources to combat the issue effectively.

    The event was attended by representatives from the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and various community and religious leaders across Nigeria. Together, they emphasised the need for a united front in addressing and eradicating online child abuse to protect Africa’s children and secure the continent’s future.

  • Research suggests Instagram is Hub for child abuse

    Research suggests Instagram is Hub for child abuse

    Researchers at Stanford University and the Wall Street Journal have discovered that pedophile networks utilize Instagram as their primary platform for promoting and selling content featuring child sexual abuse.

    These networks, operated by individuals who appear to be minors, openly advertise self-generated material depicting child sexual abuse for sale. 

    The researchers note that Instagram’s recommendation algorithms and direct messaging features facilitate the connection between buyers and sellers within these networks. 

    Read also: US fines Amazon $25m over child privacy violations

    How the study was conducted on Instagram

    A simple search for sexually explicit keywords related to children leads to accounts that use such terms to promote content showing the sexual abuse of minors. 

    These profiles often pretend to be run by the children themselves, employing explicitly sexual pseudonyms. While not explicitly stating that they sell these images, the accounts include menus with options, sometimes specifying particular sexual acts. 

    In addition to child sexual abuse material, the researchers also found offers for videos involving bestiality and self-harm. 

    The report mentions that at a certain price, children can be arranged for in-person meetings. 

    In Meta’s response, the article states that the parent company of Instagram has not yet responded to a comment request. 

    However, it reports that Meta acknowledges issues with its security services and has established a task force to address these concerns. 

    Kenya Launches Cybercrime Protection Game for Children

    The implications of the findings

    The implications of the findings reported by Stanford University and the Wall Street Journal regarding the use of Instagram by pedophile networks for promoting and selling content featuring child sexual abuse are significant and concerning.

    Some of the key implications include:

    Platform Exploitation: The report highlights how pedophile networks exploit the features of Instagram, such as recommendation algorithms and direct messaging, to facilitate the distribution and sale of child sexual abuse material. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Instagram’s content moderation and security measures in combating such illicit activities.

    Increased Access and Reach: The prominence of Instagram as a platform for pedophile networks indicates that there is a significant audience and demand for such disturbing content. The accessibility and ease of connecting buyers and sellers through Instagram’s features contribute to the expansion and reach of these networks, potentially exposing more individuals to harmful content and perpetuating the demand for it.

    Exploitation of Minors: The report highlights the disturbing fact that some of these networks appear to be operated by minors themselves, who advertise and sell self-generated child sexual abuse material. This reveals the deeply concerning cycle of exploitation, where minors are both victims and perpetrators, further emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions and protections for vulnerable individuals.

    Content Visibility and Searchability: The ease with which explicit and abusive content can be found on Instagram through simple keyword searches is alarming. The fact that accounts openly use these terms to promote content showcasing sexual abuse of minors underscores the urgent need for stronger content moderation and keyword filters to prevent such material from circulating and being readily accessible.

    Responsibility of Platform Owners: The involvement of Meta, Instagram’s parent company, raises questions about the company’s responsibility in monitoring and addressing the issue. The report indicates that Meta acknowledges problems within its security services and has established a task force to tackle the raised concerns. This highlights the importance of holding platform owners accountable for maintaining safe and secure environments for their users.

    Legal and Ethical Concerns: The discovery of offers for videos involving bestiality and self-harm alongside child sexual abuse material further exposes the existence of a broader spectrum of illegal and harmful content on Instagram. This poses significant legal and ethical challenges for both platform owners and law enforcement agencies in terms of enforcement, prevention, and the protection of vulnerable individuals.