Social workers tell parents: No social media accounts for minors in fight vs OSAEC-CSAEM
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — In observance of this year’s Safer Internet Day (SID) on February 10, social workers from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Agusan del Sur have urged parents to refrain from creating social media accounts for their children, citing risks of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM).
Glory Joyce Almine, a social worker of Agusan del Sur PSWDO, shared that while the use of online platforms may have several advantages, there are also risks that come with the convenience of accessing information online.
“On the positive side, yes, there are many benefits that we can get from using online platforms, making our daily transactions a lot easier. From e-commerce to online banking, we are reaping the fruits of technology. However, the virtual environment has also brought risks, especially to our children, who are the most vulnerable to online abuse and exploitation,” she explained.
“Even as young as three-year-old children, they are already able to maneuver gadgets and digital platforms. What is even more alarming is that there are even infants who already have their own social media accounts created by their parents, not understanding the risks that come with it,” added Almine.
She further stressed that with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), posting the photos and videos of minors on social media gives access to online sexual predators in retrieving such materials and using them to create malicious content, such as editing the minor’s face and attaching it to lewd images and videos.
“According to certain studies, next to illegal drugs, pornography has become the next most lucrative business in the black market. As such, we must protect our children at all costs from the threat of OSAEC-CSAEM,” Almine expounded.
Social workers also expressed their concern about the issue of sextortion. Sextortion, by definition, is a form of online sexual exploitation where perpetrators threaten to expose or distribute private sexual content—such as nude photos, videos, or explicit messages—unless the victim complies with their demands, often involving money or sexual favors.
Recey L. Casugudan, another PSWDO social worker, shared her young cousin’s experience with a potential online predator and emphasized the importance of open communication between parents and children. “It is very important for parents and other family members to practice communicating with their children daily. This way, our children will be more comfortable in establishing an open communication with us, especially with their experiences both online and offline,” she said.
Casugudan echoed the call to avoid creating social media accounts for infants and toddlers, noting that while parents may intend to preserve memories, the risks outweigh the benefits. She also advised parents to blur children’s faces when posting online to reduce exposure to predators.
The PSWDO Agusan del Sur emphasized that protecting children from OSAEC and CSAEM is a shared responsibility that begins at home. By practicing vigilance online, fostering open communication within families, and avoiding the creation of social media accounts for minors, parents can play a crucial role in shielding children from exploitation.
Social workers reiterated that safeguarding children’s digital presence is not only about preventing abuse but also about ensuring that every child grows up free from online threats and with their rights fully respected. (NJGD/PIA Caraga)