Education and vigilance vital for Hong Kong online safety
- While authorities should promote safe internet practices for the young and vulnerable, parents can strengthen the first line of defence by staying vigilant about their children’s online activities
Much has been said about how technology and social media have made users more vulnerable to online scams. Increasingly, children have also become the target of sex predators lurking on the internet.
This is reflected in a disturbing rise in sex crimes involving young victims.
The revelation that a nine-year-old was among those abused underlines the severity of the problem. The city recorded 696 cases of sexual abuse involving children last year, up from 578 in 2022. Of these, 45 arose from the child’s online activities, rising 15 per cent from the 39 cases recorded in 2022.
The cases involved rape, sexual intercourse with a minor, buggery, indecent assault and indecent conduct towards minors, according to police.
This is not the first time the problem has come under the spotlight. During the pandemic, the authorities also warned of the risks as children stayed home and turned to the internet more often.
The trend apparently prevails as children’s online activities continue. Typically, the predators will establish a relationship with the victims through online platforms and engage them to discuss suggestive topics, send intimate images or meet in person.
The problem owes much to insufficient awareness among youngsters on the growing danger rising from their digital footprints. More often than not, the victims do not fully comprehend the severity of their actions and consequences when they interact with strangers on the internet.
Some may be under the impression that the explicit or nude pictures they send via the “read once” messaging function of mobile apps will later disappear and leave no trace. Last year, a 15-year-old boy was asked to have sex with a man he met online after he had sent his nude picture through a dating app.
The man was arrested after the teenager’s parents made a police report.
Online sex abuse of 11-year-old Hong Kong girl sparks police warning to parents
As getting online becomes more common, the need for public education and supervision has become all the more important. Parents can strengthen the first line of defence by staying vigilant about their children’s online activities.
The authorities should also continue to work with stakeholders to promote online safety for the young and vulnerable.
