With children spending more and more time online, the risks of online enticement and online sexual exploitation are becoming ever greater. The U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, for example, reported a 130% increase in online enticement reports in 2021 compared to 2019.
Online exploitation can serve as the gateway to child trafficking. Approximately 2 in 5 victims of sex trafficking in the U.S.A are recruited online, according to data presented by the Department of Justice. That makes online platforms – including social media, gaming sites and messaging apps – the most common place for victim recruitment.
Laura Levy, Head of Learning at Hope for Justice, said: “Keeping Kids Safe in the Digital World is one of the most important and potentially impactful courses that Hope for Justice has developed for parents and caregivers. With support from the Young Living Foundation, we designed this course to provide practical education and real tools that parents can implement immediately to keep their kids safe online.”
The free 60-minute e-learning course includes interactive scenarios, engaging videos, and will empower learners to identify signs of potential victimisation online and practical techniques for protecting kids online.
“Everyone has the potential to become a child advocate and to safeguard a child against exploitation and human trafficking. But first we need to understand the scope of the problem, the signs of exploitation, and how to respond or even report it,” says Dr. Marin Bryce, Senior Director of Social Responsibility at Young Living. “Our partnership with Hope for Justice will not only educate and empower, but also support parents to feel confident about having regular and sometimes difficult conversations with their children about technology use.”
Enrol now in the free online course with the Hope for Justice Learning Academy.
