Strict age controls required: protection against cyber grooming now!

Strict age controls required: protection against cyber grooming now!

In a time when children and young people are increasingly exposed to digital media, it is becoming increasingly important to offer them a secure space. Kerstin Claus, the independent representative of the Federal Government for Sexual Child Abuse, is clear and determined that strict age controls on the Internet and on social media are required. "Young people need Safe Spaces to grow up in a protected digital environment," she explains. Current circumstances allow adults to access children in online games, which can potentially lead to sexual initiations, which is why child and youth protection in the digital space in the digital space must enjoy the highest priority, such as my-kirchenzeitung.de reported.

The dangers on the net are complex. Numerous children and adolescents are exposed to unfiltering content on social media. Four and five year olds are often confronted with the possibilities of the Internet. Cybermergrooming, i.e. the targeted response of minors on the Internet for the initiation of sexual contacts, is a serious threat. This crime is used by perpetrators to build a relationship of trust with children, in order to then manipulate them for sexual acts, both digitally and analogously. This is already widespread on platforms such as YouTube, Tiktok and WhatsApp, as [https://bepragtte-mSuchmung.de/themen/definition/sexuelle-get-im-internet) emphasized.

an alarming development

prevention is the key

A survey by the State Institute for Media NRW from 2024 shows terrifying numbers: 25 % of the kids and teens between 8 and 17 years of age have already reported experience with cyber grooming. 16 % stated that they were asked to meet real meetings, and 10 % were invited to send revealing images or videos. These developments make it clear that education and preventive measures are more necessary than ever. The "Together against Cybergrooming" teaching series was developed in cooperation with the Child Protection Association and the police crime prevention and comprises seven lessons to sensitize students to internet risks. Other materials such as parent letters and checklists are available to support both teachers and parents in their efforts, such as [internet-abc.de] (https://www.internet-abc.de/ Lehrkraefte/praxinehilfen/cybergrooming/)

The message is clear: we have to act together to ensure the safety of our children in the digital space. It is up to all of us to take the necessary steps to create a safe and protected online world.