A groundbreaking study published Monday estimates that a staggering 302 million children worldwide are victims of online sexual exploitation and abuse every year. This alarming figure represents one in eight children globally who have been subjected to non-consensual sexual images, videos, and solicitation.
The research, conducted by the University of Edinburgh’s Childlight Global Child Safety Institute, highlights the devastating scope of the problem, with the United States identified as a high-risk area. One in nine men in the US has admitted to online offending against children at some point.
The report exposes the sinister tactics employed by predators, including s3xtortion, deepfake videos, and AI-powered abuse. Criminal gangs in West Africa and Southeast Asia are also targeting teenagers in s3xtortion scams, with cases soaring worldwide.
Experts warn that this is a global health pandemic requiring immediate attention and action. The UK’s National Crime Agency has issued alerts to teachers, and non-governmental organizations are sounding the alarm.
The study’s findings are a stark reminder of the urgent need for global cooperation to combat this growing threat and protect our children from the dark side of the internet.
Indeed the internet offers tremendous benefits and transformation to mankind, but its powers is easily misused against children for evil means.
