Save the Children Hong Kong commissioned the University of Hong Kong to survey more than 1,300 young people and children aged 8 to 17 in Hong Kong on their online habits and whether they experienced online sexual harassment and cyberbullying.
The results show that 4 out of 10 interviewed middle school students have been subjected to virtual sexual harassment at least once in the past year; 1 in 20 interviewed teenagers have received unreasonable requests to provide their own pornographic photos; in every 10 1 out of 10 teenagers faced the worst form of online sexual harassment, including being forced to engage in some kind of online sex act.
Children and young people are becoming more and more active in the online world. However, a research team conducted by Save the Children Hong Kong and the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong found that 40% of the young people surveyed had experienced virtual sexual harassment at least once in the past year, including non-sexual harassment. Willingly receive online sexual nudity, sexual seduction or sexual experience.
(Jay Wennington/Unsplash)
Children and young people are becoming more and more active in the online world. However, a research team conducted by Save the Children Hong Kong and the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong found that 40% of the young people surveyed had experienced virtual sexual harassment at least once in the past year, including non-sexual harassment. Willingly receive online sexual nudity, sexual seduction or sexual experience.
1 in 20 teens surveyed received unreasonable requests for pornographic photos of themselves, and 1 in 10 faced the most severe form of online sexual harassment, including being forced into some form of online sex.
Twenty-eight percent of the students surveyed said they felt uncomfortable, scared, or felt they should not watch something that happened online in the past year.
The research report also pointed out that adolescents who have been sexually abused or neglected in real life are 4 times more likely to experience adverse sexual experiences online than their peers, and adolescents who are lonely and rely on online social life often face greater risks. of cybersecurity risks.
Clifton Emery, principal researcher of Hong Kong Children's Online and associate professor of social work and social administration at the University of Hong Kong, said that one of the junior high school students interviewed in the survey said that his male classmates opened social media accounts with female avatars and used the Fake accounts flirting with him, tricking him into taking nude selfies, went viral on campus.
(Photo by Lu Ningmin)
There was a junior high school student who was defrauded by a classmate with a fake account to get nude photos widely spread
In addition, the findings also revealed that 1 in 5 children in Hong Kong suffered cyberbullying last year, including posting offensive photos and messages online, excluding others from online social circles, and abuse without consent the identity of others.
Clifton Emery, principal researcher of Hong Kong Children's Online and associate professor of social work and social administration at the University of Hong Kong, said that one of the junior high school students interviewed in the survey said that his male classmates opened social media accounts with female avatars and used the Fake accounts flirting with him, tricking him into taking nude selfies, went viral on campus.
Stuart Stuart, Director-General of Save the Children Hong Kong, pointed out that virtual sexual harassment and cyberbullying are common, and many victims are reluctant to seek help because of embarrassment. Parents are reminded not to underestimate the risks of online abuse and bullying on children’s emotional and social development and It calls on all sectors of society to make every effort to protect children from any form of harm, and encourage victims to seek help from trusted adults.
(Photo by Lu Ningmin)
Stuart Stuart, Director-General of Save the Children Hong Kong, pointed out that virtual sexual harassment and cyberbullying are common, and many victims are reluctant to seek help because of embarrassment. Parents are reminded not to underestimate the risks of online abuse and bullying on children’s emotional and social development and It calls on all sectors of society to make every effort to protect children from any form of harm, and encourage victims to seek help from trusted adults.
The agency recommends that the government add a child cybersecurity commissioner and an independent cybersecurity agency dedicated to cyberbullying, online child sexual exploitation and abuse cases, provide child-friendly help and complaint mechanisms, and formulate regulations and guidelines for cybersecurity.
(Anthony Tran/Unsplash)
Agencies urge additional children's cybersecurity specialists
The agency recommends that the government add a child cybersecurity commissioner and an independent cybersecurity agency dedicated to cyberbullying, online child sexual exploitation and abuse cases, provide child-friendly help and complaint mechanisms, and formulate regulations and guidelines for cybersecurity.
In addition, the agency also recommends that the government provide teachers and social workers with appropriate training to equip them with the knowledge to identify, intervene and handle suspicious cases.
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