Disclaimer: due to the nature of the discussed site, we have opted to withold its name and url. We are currently trying to find ways to have taken down.
With the internet, comes information unlike anything we have ever seen. Cultures, religions, recipes, there are trillions of things that are just a click away. However, hidden within all of this information, literally in plain sight, is the world of child trafficking.
Recently, a site has caught the attention of several “pedo hunters.” The site, much like photobucket, is a place where anybody can share anything…we mean anything. While you will see pictures of nature, families, and so on, this site has a more sinister side to it.
If you were, for example, to click into specific categories, such as “kids,” you are instantly brought into a pedophile sharing page topic upon topic of illegally exploited children. It is, for this reason, we are witholding the url.
The website in question has children ranging from infants to 18 years of age. The images, can become extremely graphic in nature. Children seen in sexually based stances, the comments applauding the abuse. So, why has nothing been done?
Because the website is based outside of the United States, it limits the ability our government has to shutting it down. The only thing we could do, in reality, is report it to that countrys’ authorities; a procedure that can become very complicated in nature. But, then there is the more disturbing reason: nobody has actually taken the time to report it.
Websites such as this are not only becoming more common, they are becoming more bold. Normally, people are lead to believe these sites solely exists within the “dark web.” However, this is not true. Sites such as this, are hiding in plain sight, waiting for unsuspecting people to click into them.
However, it doesn’t end there. With apps such as kik, live.me, etc. the availability of plausible child victims has increased. Kids, who may just want to livestream their daily events, are finding themselves preyed upon by deviants. Through coarsion, fear, and blackmail, these innocent kids are lead into the underground world of the internet.
Child predators often use such tactics to get everything from nudes to physical meetups with children. In some cases, children are forced into the human trafficking world. In cases such as this, they are often never found.
This isn’t just about internet safety, this is about making people aware, to open their eyes, and to protect their children. This is just an example of why every parent should teach internet safety and restrict the content visible to their child(ren.) Yes, the above site does exist, and yes it is not alone. You do have the key to shut sites like this down, utilize it.
