IS YOUR CHILD SAVE IN VIRTUAL WORLD?
A guide for parents and other stakeholders abut Online Platform.
Discussion About Virtual World
What is the virtual world? A virtual world refers to a computer-generated environment that simulates a three-dimensional space where users can interact with each other and the virtual surroundings. It is typically accessed through the internet or a virtual reality headset.
Virtual worlds can range from highly immersive and realistic simulations to more simplistic and game-like environments. They can be designed for specific purposes, such as educational or training simulations, social networking, entertainment, or even therapeutic applications.
What is happening in the world? Many Young people are being contacted by using varies apps like Facebook, Messenger, Imo, WhatsApp, You tube and other platforms, and asking to each other for sexual pictures and videos, many people are involved in various harmful activities. Can you imagine a little bit about it, how much it affecting us? But many parents do not know what are doing their children on online, while their parents or employments believe they are safe in virtual world.
I want to give you little more information about that, Offenders create more and more sexual abuse materials on online platform those who are forcing children to do sexual activities by recording this via video calls or livestreaming services. If you think about it, what is happening online today, it can happen to anyone. Now we need to do something about it, to safe our children from online offenders. Hardly, we believe if we all do something so that we can prevent to child sexual exploitation from online. If you want to know the way, how to prevent it, so that this guideline will help you.
Online Child Sexual Exploitation
Online child sexual abuse Online child sexual abuse refers to the exploitation, victimization, and sexual harm inflicted upon children through the use of digital technologies and the internet. It encompasses a range of activities that involve the sexual exploitation of minors using online platforms and communication tools.
These activities not only cause immediate harm and trauma to the child victims but also facilitate the production, distribution, and perpetuation of child sexual exploitation materials (CSEM) on the internet.
It is crucial to address online child sexual abuse through comprehensive measures, including awareness campaigns, education, strong legal frameworks, and enforcement actions to protect children from these heinous crimes and provide support to survivors.
Why we need to know about it Online child sexual exploitation is not a new problem in the world especially in Bangladesh, but it is a rapidly growing in worldwide. Why we need to know about it, how serious this problem is, it is very important to know about online child sexual abuse for several reasons-
For Child protection Awareness and knowledge about online child sexual abuse empower individuals, parents, educators, and communities to better protect children from online abusers. Understanding the signs, risks, and tactics used by perpetrators can help identify potential cases and take appropriate action to safeguard children.
Prevention By being informed about online child sexual abuse, we can take proactive measures to prevent it. This includes educating children about online safety, promoting responsible internet use, and teaching them to recognize and report any suspicious or abusive behavior they encounter online.
Early intervention Recognizing the signs of online child sexual abuse allows for early intervention and support. Timely reporting and intervention can help rescue victims, remove them from dangerous situations, and provide them with the necessary assistance and counseling to recover from the trauma they have experienced.
Legal enforcement Awareness of online child sexual abuse helps society and law enforcement agencies take a strong stance against these crimes. Understanding the nature of these offenses can lead to improved legislation, policies, and enforcement measures, enabling authorities to apprehend perpetrators, dismantle criminal networks, and bring them to justice.
Support for victims Knowledge about online child sexual abuse enables us to provide better support to victims. It helps in connecting survivors with appropriate resources, counseling services, and organizations that specialize in assisting children who have experienced abuse. Understanding the trauma they may have endured helps us offer empathetic and effective support.
Combating online exploitation Awareness of online child sexual abuse contributes to collective efforts aimed at combatting this pervasive problem. By sharing knowledge and engaging in discussions, we can raise public consciousness, drive policy changes, and encourage technology companies and internet platforms to develop safer environments for children.
Ultimately, knowing about online child sexual abuse is essential for the protection, prevention, and well-being of children. It helps create a safer online environment, promotes responsible digital citizenship, and supports the collective effort to eradicate child sexual exploitation in all its forms.
The issue of online child abuse is a grave concern worldwide. While it is challenging to provide real-time statistics, here are some figures based data:
- ♦ Online child pornography – According to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) Annual Report 2020, there was a significant increase in reports of online child sexual abuse imagery. The IWF identified and removed over 153,000 URLs containing child sexual abuse material, which represented a 77% increase compared to the previous year.
- ♦ Online grooming – In the United States, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received over 21.7 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation between 1998 and 2020. The majority of these reports involved online grooming cases.
- ♦ Sextortion – Sextortion cases involving minors are on the rise. According to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), in 2020, they recorded a 38% increase in reported cases compared to the previous year. Similarly, the FBI reported a significant increase in sextortion cases targeting children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Children needs special education about online child sexual abuse especially who are disabled Online child sexual exploitation refers to the use of digital platforms, children with disabilities are often more vulnerable to such exploitation due to factors like limited communication skills, dependence on caregivers, and lack of awareness about appropriate online behavior. To educate yourself about online child sexual exploitation, specifically for children with disabilities.
♦Learn about the different forms of online child sexual exploitation and how they can impact children with disabilities. Be aware of grooming techniques used by perpetrators and the signs that may indicate a child is being targeted.
♦ Support children with disabilities in developing independence and decision-making skills. Provide them with opportunities to learn about their rights and personal safety. Help them understand the concept of consent and what constitutes inappropriate behavior.
♦Teach children with disabilities about online safety practices, such as protecting personal information, avoiding sharing explicit content, and recognizing trustworthy sources. Educate them about the potential risks of interacting with strangers online.
♦ Encourage the involvement of parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals in the lives of children with disabilities. These individuals can play a crucial role in ensuring their safety, identifying signs of exploitation, and reporting any suspicions to the appropriate authorities.
♦ Familiarize yourself with the local laws and reporting mechanisms related to child exploitation. Know how to report suspicious online activities involving children with disabilities to the relevant law enforcement agencies or child protection organizations.
♦ Seek out reputable resources and organizations that provide information and support for protecting children with disabilities from online exploitation. These may include local child protection agencies, disability advocacy groups, or international organizations focused on child rights.
Remember that addressing online child sexual exploitation requires a multidimensional approach involving prevention, education, and active intervention. By staying informed and spreading awareness, we can work towards safeguarding the well-being and rights of all children, including those with disabilities.
Cyber Bullying
How vulnerable are children online by age Children’s vulnerability online can vary depending on their age and developmental stage. Here’s a general overview of how children may be vulnerable to different online risks at various age groups-
Preschoolers (Ages 2-5):
- Preschoolers typically have limited access to the internet and digital devices. They are less likely to engage in independent online activities.
- Young children may come across inappropriate content accidentally while using devices or watching videos online. Parental supervision and appropriate content filters are crucial during this stage.
Early Childhood (Ages 6-9):
- Children in this age range start exploring the internet with increasing curiosity. They may begin to search for information, play online games, or engage in age-appropriate social platforms.
- Online interactions with peers can sometimes lead to cyberbullying incidents, including teasing, exclusion, or spreading rumors. It’s important to teach children about respectful online behavior and reporting mechanisms.
- Younger children may be more trusting and susceptible to manipulation or deception by online strangers. Education about not sharing personal information or meeting people they have only encountered online is crucial.
Tweens (Ages 10-12):
- Tweens often become more interested in social media platforms and desire to fit in with their peers. They may encounter risks such as peer pressure, inappropriate content, or potential contact with strangers.
- Tweens may not fully understand the implications of oversharing personal information or posting inappropriate content online. Educating them about privacy settings and responsible social media use is important.
Teenagers (Ages 13-18):
- Older teenagers may be targeted by online predators who use manipulation, grooming techniques, or coercion to exploit them. Adolescents need education about the signs of grooming and the importance of maintaining boundaries.
- Teenagers may engage in sexting, sharing explicit photos or messages, which can have legal and emotional consequences. They should be aware of the potential risks and the importance of consent and respect.
It’s important to note that these age ranges are general guidelines, and each child’s individual maturity, digital literacy, and parental guidance will influence their level of vulnerability online. Continuous communication, supervision, and age-appropriate education about online safety are key factors in protecting children from online risks at any age.
How attract to children online offenders? It is important to approach this question responsibly and with a focus on protecting children. While it is impossible to provide an exhaustive list, online abusers may employ various tactics to target children. Here are some general strategies they may use-
- Online abusers often groom children by building a trusting relationship and manipulating their emotions. They may offer attention, affection, or gifts, gradually gaining the child’s trust and lowering their inhibitions.
- Abusers may exploit vulnerabilities such as a child’s desire for validation, curiosity, loneliness, or low self-esteem. They seek to capitalize on these vulnerabilities to establish a connection and manipulate the child.
- Some abusers may create fake profiles or personas, pretending to be someone else to gain a child’s trust. They may use false identities, photos, or stories to establish a connection with the child.
- Abusers often exploit the features and weaknesses of online platforms. They may target children through chat rooms, social media platforms, gaming platforms, or other online spaces where children gather and interact.
- Familiarize yourself with local resources, helplines, and organizations that specialize in child protection and online safety. These can provide guidance, support, and assistance if any concerning situations arise.
- Abusers may research and identify the interests of their potential victims. They use this information to engage the child in conversations about their hobbies, favorite activities, or pop culture interests, making it seem like they share common ground.
Abusers often provide excessive attention, compliments, and validation to the child. They may listen to their problems, offer sympathetic support, and make the child feel special and understood, exploiting their emotional needs.
- Abusers may offer gifts, virtual items, or other incentives to entice children and create a sense of indebtedness or loyalty. This tactic can be used to manipulate the child into further engagement and compliance.
- Abusers often target children who may feel isolated, lonely, or lacking emotional support. They exploit these vulnerabilities, offering companionship and understanding to fill the emotional void.
- Sometimes, abusers exploit existing relationships or networks to gain access to children. This can involve manipulating trust within online communities, school settings, or social circles.
It’s important to note that these age ranges are general guidelines, and each child’s individual maturity, digital literacy, and parental guidance will influence their level of vulnerability online. Continuous communication, supervision, and age-appropriate education about online safety are key factors in protecting children from online risks at any.