Today, swiping left has become synonymous with rejecting what doesn’t serve us, it’s strikingly ironic that many still fail to “swipe left” on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
Rather than dismissing this serious issue as something that doesn’t concern us, we must confront the reality that OSAEC is a pervasive danger lurking behind our screens, on children’s screens.
The Digital Denial Dilemma
When we encounter uncomfortable topics like OSAEC, our instinct might be to ignore them, just like we swipe left on an unwanted match. The problem is, that this isn’t just another dating profile; this is a grave issue that affects vulnerable children worldwide, especially in the Philippines. Ignoring it won’t make it go away; in fact, it allows the problem to fester. We cannot afford to remain in denial when shocking statistics reveal that children are groomed and exploited online every day.
I was in awe, when I was on the field, interviewing young children about their experiences selling their nude photos and videos online to financially keep up with what they see online – fashion, gadgets, food, etc.
Why Awkward Conversations Matter
For many, discussing OSAEC may feel uncomfortable or like that awkward small talk with someone we’d rather not engage with, but that discomfort is often a precursor to meaningful change, which I believe most. Conversations about OSAEC empower parents, educators, duty-bearers, and young people to be aware of and recognize signs of abuse and take preventative measures.
It’s true, that child victims are somehow successful in hiding their conversations with their patrons or customers because of the huge amount they can get from them, but it is also true that they are exploited because of the different circumstances they are facing – physical, emotional, psychological, social, moral, spiritual, and intellectual well-being.
Empowerment Through Education
I think it’s also a moment of reflection just as we share memes or trending challenges, it’s also important to analyze and prioritize everyone’s online safety, especially vulnerable children, as they can get easy access to the internet.
Although, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act was recently passed last 2022, but many are still unaware of the existing law.
This law provides special protections to children from all forms of sexual violence, abuse, and exploitation especially those committed with the use of information and communications technology (ICT), provides sanctions for their commission, and carries out programs for the prevention, deterrence, and intervention in all situations of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the digital and non-digital production, distribution or possession of child sexual abuse or exploitation material.
Advocacy Over Apathy
Swiping left conveys the idea of moving on to something better, but when it comes to OSAEC, there’s nothing better than fighting for our children’s safety. I’m excited about the pieces of training to be done in Baguio for local duty-bearers in Region 3, to better equip them with values of social justice, and communication, as well as my teammates, capacitating them with updated, adaptive, and innovative processes and systems for inclusive and safer child communities.
So, aren’t we supposed to swipe left on OSAEC? The answer is yes, but not in the way we typically think. Instead of scrolling past this important issue, we need to stop, reflect, and take collective action.