The Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced a public awareness campaign called Know2Protect to address online child exploitation and abuse. Mayorkas emphasized the importance of educating children and those around them on how to recognize predators, how to protect themselves, and what to do if they feel they are being victimized. The campaign works with public and private sector partners to raise awareness about exploitation, report abuse, and support victims in the face of increasing rates of child abuse.
The Know2Protect campaign is a collaborative effort with partners like Google and Meta, as well as sporting leagues like NASCAR and the NFL, and organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America. These partnerships aim to provide information about the campaign on various platforms and develop training programs for law enforcement officials. Meta’s Global Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, emphasized the importance of working together with parents and partners to protect children online, acknowledging that while tech companies take measures to prevent abuse, a collective effort is needed to further safeguard children.
As part of the campaign, the Department of Homeland Security released resources for parents, such as an internet safety checklist and tips for protecting kids and teens online. The resources include advice on password protections, privacy settings, and location services. This initiative marks the federal government’s first prevention and awareness campaign to combat online child sexual exploitation, responding to a rise in reports of child sexual exploitation in recent years. The Biden administration and lawmakers have been advocating for safeguards for children in an increasingly online world amid rapid technological advancements.
In response to the rise in reports of child sexual exploitation, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported over 36 million instances of suspected child sexual exploitation last year, representing a 12% increase from the previous year. The campaign launch follows a Senate hearing in January where social media companies were criticized for not doing enough to protect children from online exploitation. Lawmakers have been working on legislation to regulate social media companies, but progress has been limited. The announcement of the Know2Protect campaign reflects ongoing efforts to address the issue of online child exploitation and abuse and implement measures to protect children in the digital age.
The DHS Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, emphasized the importance of not only prevention but also remediation in addressing online child exploitation. He stressed the need for children and parents to come forward if they experience abuse so that proper actions can be taken to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable. The campaign places a strong emphasis on education and awareness, highlighting the crucial role that parents, tech companies, law enforcement officials, and other partners play in protecting children from online threats. By working together, the goal is to create a safer online environment for children and ensure their well-being in the face of evolving challenges in the digital landscape.
