Sexual exploitation of children needs intervention of everyone - FPB
The Film and Publication Board's Rianette Leibowitz says collaboration between stakeholders and members of the public is one of the key factors that can be used to mitigate sexual exploitation of children online.
Leibowits shared these sentiments on Monday during a panel discussion held by the Government Communication and Information System as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
A 2022 study on the prevention of online sexual abuse of children by UNICEF in South Africa revealed that 68% of children had accessed inappropriate material online.
Out of 68% of children 8% of minors had shared naked pictures or videos of themselves online, with both girls and boys being equally exposed to sexual images online.
In addition, older children are more exposed to sexual images, however younger children are not excluded.
Leibowits says young people need to be made aware of the ripple effects of sharing their naked pictures on the internet.
"Any sexual explicit matrerial despicting a minor, under the age of 18 is considered as chikd sexual abuse images and this means that we have to create not just awareness but let young people see the impact and the ripple effect of how they are impacting someone else."
The study further revealed that 61% of parents do not monitor their children's online activity.
South African Police Services's serial and electronic crime investigation unit commander Celeste van Klashorst has called on parents to monitor their children’s internet activity.
She says it is not possible to save every child but awareness might make a difference.
"We can't and we might not be able to save all the children in the world but we can save them by starting with awareness, starting around your own table, community, schools and doing the reports."
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