Emily from the Ohio ICAC Task Force shared insights into the work they do to combat online child exploitation. Emily began with a video that highlights how offenders have adapted to the digital age. The video dispels common misconceptions that offenders are isolated individuals; many are respected members of society, such as teachers and doctors.
The ICAC Task Force works closely with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to investigate online child exploitation. In Ohio alone, they’ve seen a dramatic rise in cases, from just over 3,000 tips in 2015 to over 21,500 in 2022, largely driven by social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. Offenders now target children on these platforms, as they provide easy access to their intended victims.
The task force collaborates with federal, state, and local law enforcement to handle all online child exploitation cases in Ohio. These cases often involve child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which has led to a shift in terminology from “child pornography” to “CSAM” to emphasize the lack of consent involved.
A significant challenge is that offenders use social media to contact children. Apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok are common platforms used by both children and offenders. Social media companies, such as Apple, which prioritize user privacy, are less forthcoming with cases due to encryption. This presents a challenge for law enforcement, as they rely on cyber tips from these platforms to pursue investigations.
Emily emphasized the importance of parental involvement in setting rules and boundaries around social media use. Ongoing conversations with children are key to their online safety. Privacy settings should be used, but parents must also regularly monitor their children’s contact and follower lists.
Sextortion, a growing issue, involves offenders pretending to be minors online to convince victims to send explicit material. Once obtained, offenders demand money in exchange for keeping the material private. The ICAC Task Force handles sextortion cases by taking an advocate approach, helping victims rather than blaming them. Parents are encouraged to document all interactions and report the incidents through the NCMEC’s reporting system.
In conclusion, online child exploitation remains a significant threat, but with the right tools and proactive conversations, parents can help safeguard their children from these dangers.
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