By: Janae Namer
Senior Advocacy Associate for Women’s Empowerment and Education at World Vision
In the digital age, the internet has become a powerful tool for education, connection, and innovation. But it has also opened new avenues for harm, none more devastating than the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children (OSEAC). This growing crisis transcends borders, cultures, and socioeconomic lines, demanding a global response.
A Global Issue
Globally, around 77 percent of people aged 15-24 have access to the internet1. OSEAC is not just confined to the dark corners of the internet, but thrives on everyday social media platforms, gaming environments and even messaging apps. In 2024, the U.S. CyberTipline received 20.5 million reports of suspected online child exploitation, with 84% of these reports originating outside of the United States2. Individuals can now exploit children from anywhere in the world, often with little to no consequences.
Not only are children around the world subject to online abuse and exploitation, but also offline violence, including trafficking, child labor and sexual abuse. Online and offline exploitation of children are deeply interconnected, often reinforcing and enabling one another. In person instances of child exploitation may be filmed or photographed and then distributed online, perpetuating their victimization. Conversely, online grooming and manipulation can lead to in-person abuse, as predators use digital platforms to gain
trust and arrange real-world meetings, blurring the lines between virtual and physical harm. In order to address one form of exploitation, we need to address both, creating a holistic, survivor-centered response.
The Role of the United States in Combatting Violence Against Children Globally
In 2013, the United States Congress authorized the first Child Protection Compacts (CPC), which are bilaterial agreements between the U.S. and partner countries focused on building policies and programs that strengthen national responses to child trafficking. Since the first agreement was signed in 2015, these agreements have helped countries to strengthen their national systems to better prevent child trafficking, prosecute perpetrators, and provide trauma-informed care to survivors.
In Mongolia, for example, based on the most recently available data, 20.7% of children aged 5-14 were working, with 43.5% of 15–17-year-olds working in hazardous conditions3. Children in Mongolia are also vulnerable to other forms of violence, both inside and outside of the home, including violent domestic discipline, human trafficking, and online violence. Around 72% of the population in Mongolia uses social media, with many users being children and youth. In 2020, Mongolia started their own partnership with the United States in the signing of a CPC. Through part of this CPC project, implemented by World Vision, more than 40 youth clubs were established within schools, which included over 1000 youth activists in
These clubs use organized activities, such as a debate competition, sharing quotes and messages to students/parents, a flash mob dance, and a drawing competition, reaching nearly 29,000 people across the country. These youth-led campaigns raised awareness about the dangers of child labor, safe online practices such as not communicating with strangers online, and mechanisms to prevent trafficking, creating a significant impact on the awareness of the risk of trafficking and online exploitation.
Moving Forward to Address Online and Offline Violence Against Children
In the face of the alarming global prevalence of both online and offline violence against children, coordinated international action, through global advocacy and collaboration among countries, is more critical than ever. Through initiatives such as the CPCs, the United States government partners with countries to strengthen their legal systems, protect victims, and prevent future abuse. By investing in these efforts, the U.S. contributes to a broader global movement to safeguard children’s rights and dignity. However, lasting change requires sustained commitment from governments, civil society, tech companies, and communities worldwide. Protecting children from violence is not just a moral imperative – it is a strategic and shared responsibility to build a better future for generations of children.
About the End OSEAC Coalition
The End Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (OSEAC) Coalition is a U.S. advocacy coalition that aims to improve U.S. government policies and programs to better prevent and address online sexual exploitation and abuse of children and provide appropriate support to survivors. Learn more about our mission to #ProtectKidsOnline: endoseac.org.
