Police reveal: 12,000 inquiries received this year - most of them: sexual offenses, shaming and boycotts • The main arenas: WhatsApp and Instagram • Minister Levy: "Dangerous space"
At the center of the injury: girls and young women.
Cyberbullying
Photography:
GettyImages, illustration
The year 2020 will be remembered as a year in which crime also penetrated children's smartphones.
Data received by "Israel Today" ahead of the national month for the protection of children on the Internet show that the number of incidents received at the 105 center for the protection of minors on the Internet increased by 55%.
About a quarter of referrals dealt with complaints of sexual offenses.
While in 2019 there were 2,772 complaints about sexual offenses, in 2020 the number jumped to 3,235.
"The alarming data that comes up at the 105 hotline reflects what our children are going through in the virtual space in the Corona year. There are many positive things in this space, but there are also many dangers for children and teenagers," said Minister of Strength and Community Promotion Orly Levy-Abacis.
This month will mark the national month for child protection online.
In this context, the Ministry of Strengthening and Promoting the Community and the police reveal the data of the 105 hotline for the year 2020.
Common vulnerabilities addressed at the hotline include cybercrime, distributing embarrassing photos and videos, boycotts, bullying and harassment, as well as suicide threats.
The rest of the complaints received preventive treatment.
The leading arenas in which most of the harm has occurred to minors are: WhatsApp and Instagram apps.
About 2,317 of the vulnerabilities that came to the hotline occurred on WhatsApp and about 2,755 occurred on Instagram.
They are followed by Forum Stipes with about 16% of the referrals and Tiktok with about 7% of the referrals.
The majority of the victims are aged 14-12 and about 67% of the victims are girls and young women.
The majority of the perpetrators are aged 15-12 and about 80% of the perpetrators are children and adolescents.
About 33% of those who apply to the center are parents, about 26% are the victims themselves, about 19% were witnesses of harm to another and about 8% are teaching staff.
Unit 105, the national headquarters for the protection of children on the Internet, is a unique model in the world, and has a civilian division, an investigative division, an intelligence division and a 105 hotline, a combination of professional experts and civilian officials.
Levy-Abaxis, who was given responsibility for HaMoked upon her appointment as Minister for Community Strengthening and Advancement, commented on the data.
"Our job as parents is to keep our eyes and ears open for everything that happens in the online arena, and of course to contact Hotline 105 in case of suspicion. I see great importance in Hotline 105's activities and strengthening it. Our children are our future generation, and we must make sure they are safe and protected everywhere. And plans are being implemented that every child and parent in the State of Israel will know about the existence of Headquarters 105 as an address for them. "
Lt. Col. Etty Betzer, Commander of Unit 105 in Blade 433: "I appeal to parents, girls, boys and every citizen who cares about the well-being of our children and calls on everyone to contact us in Unit 105. Children, we are here for you, 24 hours a day.
We will do everything to help you with any problem and difficulty, we will accompany you and protect you from any danger inherent in the network.
We will find justice with those who have hurt or want to hurt you.
We will strive together with all our might to preserve the light and joy of your youth.
With us, you will feel that you are not alone. "
