UNICEF: 1 in 5 youths targeted by online sexual abuse
A new UNICEF survey reveals that one in five teenagers experienced online sexual abuse in the past year. The report highlights how social media algorithms and digital interactions can facilitate coercion and entrapment of minors.
Why it matters
The findings underscore the urgent need for better digital safety regulations and parental awareness regarding the risks children face online.
A survey of around 21,000 young people by the UN's agency for children has found that online sexual abuse of minors is on the rise.
https://p.dw.com/p/5K1Xh A new survey by UNICEF found that one in five teenagers had been the target of online sexual abuse over the past year Image: Robin Utrecht/ROBIN UTRECHT/picture alliance Advertisement The internet is not a safe place for unsupervised children and young people — by now, that's common knowledge.
Social media platforms are adept at tweaking their algorithms to ensure users of any age remain on their sites. To do that, they often disseminate content that can be dangerous and upsetting for young people.
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