As children are spending more and more time online, we need to ask ourselves: are we doing enough to keep them safe and ensure they go through positive experiences online? The truth is hard to ignore—every few seconds, a photo or video of child sexual abuse is found online. It’s clear we can do better to protect them.
In 2023 alone, more than 100 million images of child sexual abuse were found online and numbers and stories from survivors show that the situation is deteriorating by the day. Every passing second, a child is at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation.
“We are witnessing an unprecedented Child Sexual Abuse Crisis. With technology being an integral part of children’s lives but lacking proper safeguards, the risks are growing everywhere. From remote villages to busy cities, from popular tourist spots to small island nations, the absence of prevention and protection measures means no place—online or offline—is truly safe.” says Guillaume Landry, Executive Director at ECPAT International.
Children themselves are calling for more protection and safety online. We cannot turn down this call any longer. Online platforms must prioritise child safety online, looking up to safeguarding standards and implementing stronger protections and detection mechanisms online.
“Children’s safety online shouldn’t be a privilege. Every child should feel safe online. It is a collective responsibility to make it possible.”
ECPAT Germany
