Since the beginning of the year, the Cybercrime Investigation Department officers of the National Investigation Inspectorate have initiated 31 criminal cases regarding the abuse and sexual exploitation of children online. Police warn about the high degree of danger of these immoral acts in which children are involved and urge parents to be careful.
Criminal cases have been filed for child pornography, sexual harassment and seduction of a minor for sexual purposes. At the same time, on the siguronline.md platform, 36 cases of sexual abuse of children in the online environment were reported in the first half of the year. The average age of children who have gone through situations of online sexual abuse is 13 years, but there are also cases in which younger children, even 7–9 years, are exposed to messages that are inappropriate for their age.
Specialists warn that, in the current epidemiological situation, most children's activities have migrated online. Lacking lively interaction with friends and colleagues, children initiated online friendships and romantic relationships, and socialized in a virtual regime more than ever before. Hence, the problems that can be connected to these relationships also become manifested more intensely.
Specialists recommend that parents monitor their children's computer activity and become familiar with the technology they use. They also stress that parents should explain that Internet users may present or display profiles with false data. Parents should also express interest in their children's virtual friends and explain that their children should not share personal data with strangers.