The opportunity to download or share pornographic material is often the final stage of an illegal network that could have its roots in serious crimes, from human trafficking to the exploitation of children.
People who click on links related to illegal content might believe they’re distant from the criminal networks behind it, but in reality, those networks rely on such actions to achieve their goals. What should we look out for? One of the main concerns is that this illegal material can be shared or downloaded by our children or grandchildren, but there is also considerable pressure on them from social media to be innocent participants in its creation.
No matter how insignificant – and private – clips or photographs may seem to them at the time, these can be shared and can go viral before parents even realise that they exist.
Clearly, prevention is better than cure, and it is important for parents and guardians to protect the vulnerable. There are numerous tools that they can use to ensure that children cannot access, download or share inappropriate content. But apart from software, education is also important: parents and guardians should ensure that channels of communication with children are kept open, and that they are made aware of the consequences of their actions, especially that harmful material can be circulated or fall into the wrong hands.
Anyone who comes across illegal content should report it immediately as this helps authorities take action and prevents further harm. Incidents may be reported to the Police via their website pulizija.gov.mt or by calling tel. 21224001.
This article forms part of a cyber awareness campaign delivered by MITA, in collaboration with MITA-NCC and the Malta Police Force. The campaign, which is being disseminated on national television, aims to raise awareness about digital security through short clips that place audiences in realistic, everyday scenarios where their online safety may be at risk. The video on illegal content shows a man, symbolically sitting in the dark, watching a television report on someone being found guilty of possessing illegal content. The man expresses sympathy for the exploited children in the content – but the campaign continues to explain the implications of the crimes and how everyone has a role to play in ensuring that criminal actions are not supported.
Under the slogan “Int Importanti”, the campaign emphasises the importance of staying safe online and looking out for one another to help make the internet a safer place.