Online child sexual abuse is real and it’s happening closer to home

Dear Editor, “Mommy, I have something to tell you. Please don’t get upset with me.” Those are words no parent ever wants to hear. They are often followed by a confession that leaves us shaken, a secret our child has been carrying, a pain they didn’t know how to share. As parents, we spend so much time worrying about our children’s safety in public spaces, strangers on the road, unsafe neighbourhoods, and negative influences. Yet, many of us overlook the growing danger that hides behind the very devices we hand to them every day. The internet, though a gateway to learning and connection, has also become an easy hunting ground for predators who use it to groom, exploit, and abuse children. Online child sexual abuse takes many forms: from sharing or producing child sexual abuse material to grooming, where adults build trust with minors for sexual purposes. These abusers can be total strangers or even people known to the child, using fake identities or friendly online personas to gain their trust. In Guyana, there have been troubling reports of young people being exposed to, or coerced into, creating and circulating pornographic content. Some are pressured, others are blackmailed. Similar patterns are seen across the Caribbean and the world. What’s most alarming is how many parents don’t even know it’s happening and may have no idea on how to control this in their homes. We assume our children are just watching movies, chatting with friends, or doing research for school. But apps like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and a common favourite Calculator# are giving predators countless ways to contact and manipulate these young innocent minds. Groomers often start small by a friendly chat, a compliment, a shared interest and gradually move the conversation into private spaces. Before long, it becomes a cycle of exploitation, secrecy, and shame. In some instances, children are lured into sharing the private photos and these are used to threaten them into meeting with their predators. Children generally fear losing their devices, shamed by the predators, or disappointing their parents, so they stay silent out of fear, guilt, or confusion and risk doing what the predators are demanding. That’s why awareness and involvement are so important. Keeping children safe online doesn’t mean spying on them rather it’s about guiding them, know how to set controls on their devices and monitoring this and setting boundaries, and sharing opening about the risks. Parents, start the conversation early. Talk about online safety and let your child know they can come to you if someone makes them uncomfortable or asks for private photos. Set clear boundaries, establish limits for screen time, app use, and device access. Use parental controls, many devices and apps have settings that help block harmful content and monitor online activity. Know who your child is talking to, encourage them to communicate only with people they know in real life, and stay alert for new “friends” they can’t identify. Stay informed, the online world changes every day, and new apps and trends appear faster than we can keep up. Take a little time to learn about the games, platforms, and chats your child enjoys, not to invade their space, but to understand it. When we show interest, they’re more likely to open up about what they’re doing and who they’re talking to. Remember, the internet isn’t the enemy. It can be a wonderful space for children to learn, create, and explore. But like any powerful tool, it must be used with care. As parents, guardians, and community members, we all share the responsibility of keeping those digital spaces safe for our children. And if you ever have even the smallest feeling that something isn’t right, that your child, or any child, may be in danger online, please don’t ignore it. Speak up, ask questions, reach out for help. Sometimes one brave step can stop a lifetime of harm. Child sexual abuse via the internet is real, and it’s happening closer to home than many of us want to believe. But awareness, vigilance, and love can stop it. The first step is acknowledging it exists and taking action before another child whispers, “Mommy, I have something to tell you.” Lucria Rambalak Advocacy/ Communications Officer ChildLinK Inc.