All Children Are At Risk Of Online Abuse, Warns Report

A major new report warns that children from good homes are at the same risk of sexual and online abuse as less fortunate children. Children who were never considered at risk of online abuse because of their stable family backgrounds and education level are now considered easy targets for pedophiles, just like young children in abusive or care homes, according to this recent study.

A recently published report by Barnado’s and the Marie Collins Foundation added that it found children as young as eight years old being targeted by online pedophiles.

In addition to the new study, researchers carried out a survey and found almost half of young children admitted that they do not tell their parents about their online activities.

A recent Ipsos Mori poll found 48 percent of the children surveyed said their mothers and fathers were only aware of “some” of what they do online.

Additionally, one in nine children, or 11 percent, admitted that their parents did not have a clue about any of their activities on the internet.

Shockingly, the report cites that many of the child subjects in this recent study consider it “normal” to send nude pictures online. The young children also consider using sexualized language while online is normal behavior, as well.

A third of young people who were surveyed, or 33 percent, say they find it much easier to show their real personality on the internet than with people face-to-face.

In a November 5 press release, Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan expressed his concern for young children exposed to online abuse.

“As a father of four children I am concerned about the dangers facing them and other children online. As parents, we must all try to better understand the mobile technology they use and what they are using it for, to help keep them safe.”

The Barnado report titled,”Digital dangers,” references one online abuse case where a 14-year-old girl named Jenny was an “intelligent young lady” who had “supportive parents and close extended family networks” and was a “high achiever at school.” However, the report adds, through Jenny’s online activities, she was raped by a pedophile.

Barnardo’s workers who were interviewed for the report said online abuse victims were as young as 10, 11, and 12 years of age.

Additional information found in the report notes the websites and apps “most commonly identified as being linked to the sexual exploitation of young people,” which includes Facebook, Skype, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and BBM. Staff members dealing with young online abuse victims also mentioned Kik, Flirtfinder, and Grindr as places where child sexual exploitation takes place.

Tink Palmer, chief executive of the Marie Collins Foundation offered additional information about children exposed to online abuse.

“Children are being targeted by perpetrators through their smart phones and other mobile devices. If parents are worried about changes in their children’s emotional wellbeing, one of the first questions they should ask is, ‘what is happening online?’ A greater emphasis needs to be given to training professionals working in the police, social work, health, education, and voluntary sector so they can better protect children from online abuse.”

This report covering online abuse of children noted that because of the nature of online activity, parents, caregivers, or educators might not easily recognize the currently accepted signs of possible sexual exploitation of a child, such as school absences or going missing.

In fact, the report adds that in the majority of cases, when parents first find out that their child is an online abuse victim, including sexual exploitation, it is when the police contact the family.

An additional finding of this recent report shows that certain groups of children and young people, including those with mental health and learning difficulties, bi-sexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, and questioning young people, appear to be predominantly vulnerable to online abuse.

All of the professionals interviewed for this latest research agree that the development of new technology over the last eleven years has changed the way they need to work with young people and the methods of providing support.

The report emphasizes the need for training of all professionals working with children and young people so they become confident in identifying children who are at risk of online abuse.

Additionally, a more detailed evaluation of products, such as games and apps, including the ones currently in use and those in development, is necessary in order to make sure they have safeguards in place to prevent children from online abuse.

The report also notes that parents, caregivers, educators, and healthcare professionals should be given easier access to existing prevention resources and advice, including sex education through schools and age-appropriate healthy relationship guidance.

Finally, support services should consider including ill-treatment that relates only to children exposed to, or victim of online abuse.

[Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images]