Children ‘self-producing’ online abuse as police warn childcare sector downplaying exploitation
NSW Police have raised alarms regarding children being coerced into producing abusive material of themselves online, while also accusing childcare centers of under-reporting abuse to protect profits. Authorities note that despite government bans, children are increasingly exposed to harmful content that normalizes violence.
Why it matters
This highlights a critical failure in child protection systems and the growing danger of digital exploitation and self-produced abuse material.
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Sexual predators are targeting children as young as nine online and coercing them into producing abusive material of themselves, while senior police warn that childcare centres are under-reporting abuse to maximise profits and preserve their reputations.
Cases of children “self-producing” videos and images of sexual and physical abuse online are becoming increasingly prevalent alongside AI-generated child abuse material and alarming social media content that authorities say is normalising violent behaviour in teenage boys and young men.
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