Instagram: Primary Platform For Child Sex Abuse Networks

News Desk

Islamabad: Instagram is the primary platform where paedophile networks advertise and sell their child sexual abuse content, according to a report by Stanford University and the Wall Street Journal.

With features like direct messaging and recommendation algorithms that facilitate the connection between customers and sellers, Instagram is now the most significant platform for these networks, according to US university’s Cyber Policy Centre Researchers.

The Journal claims that a straightforward search for sexually explicit keywords that specifically mention children leads to accounts that utilise these terms to promote content that depicts the sexual abuse of minors.

Researchers added that large networks of accounts that appear on profiles often claim to be driven by the children themselves and use overtly sexual pseudonyms, thereby promoting the sale of self-produced child sex abuse content.

While not specifically saying they sell these images, the accounts do feature menus with options, including in some cases specific sex acts. Stanford researchers also spotted offers for videos with bestiality and self-harm.

“At a certain price, children are available for in-person meetings,” the report further added.

According to the Journal, the social media giant admitted issues with its security services and declared that a task group has been formed to address the concerns presented.

Pension and investment funds complained to Meta in March last year for having “turned a blind eye” to photos of child sex abuse and human trafficking on its platforms.