Disturbing number of children needing to be rescued from online predators

Almost 4000 reports of online sexual exploitation of children were made to the federal police in just the first five months of this year. Authorities are urging parents and children to be more cautious. Here’s how you can protect your kids online.

Twenty-six children have been rescued from the clutches of internet sex predators in the past year.

Twenty-six children have been rescued from the clutches of internet sex predators in the past year.

Police are warning parents to monitor their children’s online ­activity, with the extent of digital grooming labelled “disturbing”.

The Australian Centre for Counter Child Exploitation, set up by the Australian Federal Police last July, is saving an average of two children a month — including some under the age of five — from sex monsters.

AFP Manager Child Protection Commander Justine Gough said there was a high incidence of “self-production” of images and videos.

“Children are groomed to produce material,” she said.

“We are seeing that material is becoming increasingly violent and children are getting younger and younger.”

In an alarming escalation of violence, children are being “blackmailed” into carrying out explicit acts on themselves or others, said Commander Gough.

“Children are being blackmailed with what they have produced, if they don’t do what the offender desires them to do,” she said. “It’s a disturbing trend.”

Commander Gough said many parents think their child is safe online, but warned online groomers have become “very savvy.”

“A lot of parents think their kids have grown up with this technology and they know what they are doing,” she said.

“Children are very digitally aware in terms of social media platforms they can access but it’s their cognitive awareness that’s the issue.

“Some victim are younger than five which is an unfortunate consequence of kids being very aware of devices from a very young age.”

web How to be Safe Online

Cyber safety expert and educator Susan McLean said perpetrators prey on children’s desire to be liked.

Some pose as children of the same age, model scouts or famous photographers to gain kids’ trust.

“Predators realise the internet is a simple way to access kids because so many are online,” she said.

“The reality is, a child who wouldn’t speak to a stranger in the street is the same child who would speak to a stranger online.

“Children by nature are trusting and want lots of friends.”

Ms McLean said it’s important for kids, parents and teachers to be made aware of the dangers of the internet.

“These people are very clever and know how to latch onto a child by saying the right thing,” she said.

“We must educate kids about the reality of the internet, how it works and that these people are out there looking for them.”

Twenty-six children have been rescued from the clutches of internet sex predators in the past year.

AFP officers are being deployed to schools across the country to educate teachers and parents as part of the cyber awareness program, ThinkUKnow.

Primary and secondary students also take part in the program.

AFP received almost 4000 reports of online sexual exploitation of children between January and May this year.

Each report can contain thousands of images and videos.

Tip-offs have come from social media giants including Facebook and Instagram and the public.

Reports of children in current or immediate danger are referred to state and territory police, including joint anti-child exploitation teams, who swiftly act to protect kids and prosecute offenders.

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AFP arrested and charged 77 perpetrators in the past year.

Commander Gough urged anyone who suspects a child is in imminent danger to contact triple-0 immediately.

“This is an issue in our community and we need to protect our community from future harm that takes place,” she said.

ACCCE works in partnership with international, federal and state police, Australian Border Force, Department of Home Affairs and child protection authorities.

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