Cybersafety concerns as children spending more time online

AS CHILDREN spend more time at home with sophisticated smartphones and fast internet access, cybersafety concerns are once again in the spotlight.

A study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council on behalf of the Films and Publications Board (FPB) investigated the scope of the manufacturing and distribution of child pornography in South Africa.

The study established that children who were most vulnerable to becoming victims of child pornography are those who have an established relationship with the abuser; children with internet and high-end cellphones; and children with low self-esteem or difficult relationships with their parents.

Tershia de Klerk, the chief operating officer of Stop Trafficking of People, said that there was a proven link between pornography, sex offences and human trafficking as both human trafficking and sexual offences were fuelled by pornography.

“We have to remember, however, that transportation is not required for human trafficking. Online grooming and manipulation is a form of human trafficking and abuse. There are also adults who prostitute their children out of their own homes – this would be defined as trafficking.”

A research study released by Ecpat (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) stated that relatively little is known about this form of CSEC (commercial sexual exploitation of children) and existing research in this area remains limited in South Africa.

Clive Human, the director of Stop (Standing Together to Oppose Pornography), said that pornography, sex exploitation online and human trafficking all exacerbate one another.

“Pornography is a full-on dopamine addiction of the brain, and can be more difficult to quit than cocaine.”

Human said that the average age of first exposure to pornography had dropped from 12 years old to eight. This meant that children were being exposed to explicit content at a younger age, making them more susceptible to abuse and sexual grooming.

Human explained that most children were unaware of the fact that anyone under the age of 18 sending nude photographs of themselves or others was committing a criminal offence as it’s seen as the production and manufacture of child pornography.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said that the SAPS had a specific electronic technology unit that works in a network of several countries aimed at fighting child pornography and exploitation online, among other projects.

Naidoo said that the unit was extremely active in finding and arresting the people who are producing and manufacturing child pornography in South Africa.

“I’m advising parents to be hands on, on the matter of cybersecurity.

“It is their duty to know and monitor what their children are getting up to.”