Preventing Online Sexual Exploitation: Insights from the eSafety Commission

The eSafety Commission is Australia's independent regulator for online safety, established to help Australians have safer and more positive online experiences, including by addressing serious online abuse and illegal content. The Commission is working towards highlighting the critical issue of preventing online sexual exploitation of children and focussing on practical strategies to support young people in navigating the digital world safely and confidently.
Recent research from the eSafety Commission team has noted a particularly positive response from young Australians to the Take It Down service. Take It Down allows young people to remove their content, typically explicit content, from the internet. This service enables users to upload images or other types of content they’re concerned about, which is then recoded and removed from most online platforms. The feedback suggests that when young people are aware of this resource, they find it incredibly valuable.

In addition to discussing preventative measures, the Commissioner shared some concerning prevalence data: 1 in 4 people report experiencing childhood sexual abuse, and there are on average 160 reports of online child sexual abuse (CSA) each day in Australia. A particularly alarming statistic revealed that boys aged 15-19 have the highest offender rates of any age group, with a rate of 102.9 per 100,000.

Some practical support and intervention strategies provided by the Commissioner and aimed at reducing the risks young people face online include:

• Scaffolding the use of digital technology: Supporting young people in developing safe and responsible digital habits.
• Improving media literacy: Encouraging adults to understand the online world better so they can guide young people effectively.
• Connecting young people to their values: Using strengths-based conversations to redirect harmful behaviour and foster positive online engagement.
• Understanding online needs: Acknowledging the needs young people are trying to meet through their online connections and providing appropriate guidance.
• Early identification of concerns: Professionals should aim to identify concerns early, label behaviours authentically, and intervene as soon as possible to provide the right support.

In conclusion, by improving media literacy, promoting resources like Take It Down, and intervening early, we can help protect young people from the dangers of online sexual exploitation while fostering a safer digital environment.

College Counsellors

Allison Flanagan
aflanagan@wmac.com.au

Tia Reardon
treardon@wmac.com.au