Sexual exploitation of children
According to research by jugendschutz.net, pictures of children in sexualized poses are also spread via popular social media - services such as Instagram and Tumblr. Relevant users network closely via friend lists, groups or favorite content. By means of scene-typical keywords, like-minded people are specifically addressed and called upon to exchange pictures via WhatsApp or Kik Messenger. Profile photos are often innocuous children's photos, which poses the risk that young users will also be confronted with the content.
Sexualized post depictions have been covered by criminal law in Germany since 2015, but are in a gray area internationally. They show children naked or only partially clothed in sexy lingerie, tight-fitting or transparent clothing while erotically posing. Content of this kind should be reported, either to the social media provider directly or to a complaints office.
- Details on the research can be found in jugendschutz.net's topic paper.
- Information on reporting and complaint offices can be found here.
More on the topic
- Musical.ly - Risks of the app popular with children and young people
- FAQ: Combating depictions of sexual abuse and sexual minors on the Internet.
- Guides to privacy in digital networks
- Children's photos on the web: working together to prevent sexual abuse