Edenvale CPF warns of dangers of digital content for children

The Edenvale CPF reminded parents and community members about the internet’s potential dangers.

Warning community members about child sexual abuse material (CSAM) refers to content that depicts sexual activities involving children.

It can include photographs, videos, computer-generated images (indistinguishable from other minors) and any other media format.

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Individuals with legitimate access to the child create most CSAM like family friends, family members, guardians and, in some cases, parents.

Creating new ways to target, groom and exploit the youth highlights the reach and potential dangers of the internet.

Earlier this year, the United Nations (UN) warned of the urgent need to put children’s rights at the heart of developing and regulating the internet and new digital products.

The UN special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, Mama Fatima Singhateh, stressed that the internet and digital platforms can be a potential double-edged sword for children and young people.

“It can allow them to positively interact and further develop as autonomous human beings, claiming their own space, while also facilitating age-inappropriate content and online sexual harms of children by adults and peers,” she highlighted.

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She explained that the boom in technology has facilitated the harmful production and distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation materials in the digital dimension.

Singhateh noted that according to WeProtect Global Alliance’s Global Threat Assessment of 2023, there was an 87% increase in child sexual abuse material since 2019.

She said a review of several studies, publications and reports revealed the intensity of manifestations of harm and exposure to online child sexual abuse and exploitation, both in terms of scale and method.

Against this, Singhateh called for countries and companies to work together and invest in reducing and solving this problem.

“The voices of children, victims, survivors and relevant stakeholders must be included in the design and development of ethical digital products to foster a safer online environment. Society must immediately embrace this responsibility.”

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), methods to improve child safety on the internet include:

• Setting clear ground rules:

Have honest conversations with your children about who they communicate with and how and who can see what they post online.

Explain that anything they post online leaves a digital trail back to them. If your child experiences something online that makes them upset, uncomfortable or scared, encourage them to tell you or a trusted adult immediately.

• Use technology:

Help your child learn to keep personal information private. If your privacy settings are not secure, anyone can see your information.

Regularly ensure your child’s device is updated and running the latest software. Check that the privacy settings are on and configured to minimise data collection.

• Spend time with your child online:

Create opportunities for your child to have safe and positive online interactions with friends, family and yourself.
Connecting with others can be an excellent opportunity for parents to model kindness and empathy in virtual interactions.

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• Model healthy habits:

Promote positive online behaviour by practising it yourself.

Be mindful of the example you set and what you share online about your child, including their photos and videos.

• Let them learn:

Allow your children to express themselves, be creative, find their voice and grow in a digital age.

No matter what rules and techniques parents use to guide their children through the digital age, it is crucial to balance online activities with an active lifestyle and offline recreation.