Our first keynote speech on day two (28 July) of the Soroptimist International Convention 2023, came from Jim Gamble, CEO of INEQE Safeguarding Group and an expert in child protection. The premise of his talk emphasised why the dangers regarding online safety and the safeguarding of children online are not about the technology per se, but instead the people that use the technology. Hana Smith provided written coverage of this talk.

We talk about deteriorating situations of women’s rights in wide ranging contexts worldwide including some of the most locked down countries in the world, however years ago, it would have been difficult to get that information. Jim argued that the internet, at large, has been and continues to be, a force for good, as it is a mechanism to educate, empower, and enable one another. It is a way in which we can create content, and this content is made by people. Sadly, where we have opportunities to create positive content, we also have opportunities to create content which harms others directly or indirectly.

During Jim’s time working at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), he saw how people turn children into commodities by “using and abusing” them. We often think that artificial intelligence and big tech companies are our biggest threat, however, records show that since 1874 technology has been used as a commodity for sexual satisfaction by real people. This is not a new problem. The difference today is that the information we can now access is able to inform us about these very real dangers. 

Jim spoke about the top two reasons why children and young people contact the NSPCC (UK’s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) – low self-esteem and unhappiness. Children and young people are turning to social media to attempt to solve these issues, curating their social media profiles to gain ‘likes’ and to be seen to be popular. However the images which gain the most likes can be suggestive, or borderline inappropriate and can reach those with predatory behaviour, who will prey on vulnerable children. 

Young people who are/have been physically, emotionally, and/or sexually abused are among the most vulnerable. This includes young people who live in an environment where abuse is prevalent (even if they are not being directly abused themselves). Groomers give young people a feeling of belonging which “normalises the abnormal”. Children and young people begin to be blinded by inappropriate behaviour. They do things that they would never have ordinarily done, often because they want to maintain that feeling of belonging. A shocking statistic provided by Jim was that online predators often engage with up to 30 children at one given time. All they need is to find one of those 30 to be particularly vulnerable for them to harness for their own sexual satisfaction. 

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, technology began to play an even more key part in each of our daily lives. This was the only public space available. Yet every predator in the world was occupying this space, and in turn, the instances of harm skyrocketed. What’s more, many instances of online violence happen via anonymous messages. 

We have come to accept that online spaces are filled with hatred and associated dangers, but why do we accept this unacceptable behaviour? Speeding laws are in place across the world, and speeding fines are issued when a driver breaks the speed limit. Just like driving legislation, online safety legislation must matter. In particular, when the level of anonymity is so high, the threat is even greater. 

So, what can we do? 

We must educate and empower young people about the anonymous, harmful people behind computer screens. Sit down and have an open conversation with a young person in your life. Ask them if any of their friends have been involved in instances of online harm and offer your advice. This helps to provide a safe space where they feel seen, and you can share your life experiences. 

We must instill hope. Children are often taught that whatever goes online stays online. This does not have to be true. The sooner a child comes forwards, the sooner an image can be tracked and removed. 

We must give young people permission to make mistakes. We are all curious, and we all make mistakes at some point in our lives. We must allow young people to do the same. But we must ensure that we also provide them with the tools to be empowered and understand the risks of being a young person online. 

We must step aside from the obvious. The type of content and the influence that it can have is omnipresent. The way in which young people respond to messages helps groomers to tailor their strategy – whether this means talking about body image or mental health, for example. A real ‘digital detox’ is oftentimes not the reason why many children and young people step back from social media and online spaces; but rather it is because they have suicidal ideations. Statistics demonstrate that one suicide typically impacts more than 130 people. 

We must be more conscious adults. Predators do not bring these issues into the house – parents do. Online games like Grand Theft Auto normalise expectations and behaviours of brutalising and blackmailing others online. These types of behaviours can have the most detrimental consequences. 

Finally, tell the young people closest to you that you love them and that you will support them, no matter what.