The number of children being sexually exploited online is increasing

By the end of this year, child activists say there will be more reports of children being sexually exploited online than any other year in the past.

Reports are received nationwide by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through the center’s cyber tip line.

Exploitation can range from stalking, pornography and child sex trafficking.

Last year, the center received more than 36 million reports of exploitation from across the country.

“These numbers are unacceptable,” said Callahan Walsh, executive director of the center’s Florida branch.

Walsh said exploitation reports have been steadily increasing year over year, and said his department consistently works with local law enforcement, allowing them to investigate new cases daily.

Walsh said the spike in reports began during the pandemic, as more predators hid behind their computer screens, causing Florida to see some of the highest reports of exploitation, with more than 45,000 reports to the center last year.

Walsh said they have even discovered predators working together to target children online.

“We saw conversations on the dark web between these exploiters, sharing tips on how to exploit children, how to groom them, and how to lure them out of the home,” Walsh said. “…We must come together as a society to protect children.”

Walsh explained that the average age at which a child gets their phone is now 10 years old, and said that parents who are more observant, set rules and educate their children about the dangers of talking to strangers online could reduce the number of thousands of reports reduce. continues every day.

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