UK: Internet Watch Foundation figures show a 1,420% increase of child sexual abuse content online, 15 times more than 10 years ago.

Issue at hand:

  • IWF is an online safety organization based in the UK, unique among non-law-enforcement bodies due to its ability to proactively search for child abuse material
  • IWF experts currently tackle “a tidal wave of criminal material”, a problem that keeps escalating despite major improvements in detection technology

Facts and figures

  • In 2021 IWF has acted against 200,000 websites (a record number) containing child abuse material
    • 15 times more than in 2011, with 13,000 reports of abusive content recorded
  • Between 2011 and 2021, IWF has tripled the number of analysts

IWF calls on government to show “real action to halt this rise”

  • Urges the government to make the protection of children online a priority in its planned regulation for the technology sector
  • The new online safety bill is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to make sure that children’s safety is at the center of our digital future
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Childhub

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