Internet

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and servers that allows individuals, organizations, and governments to exchange information, services, and resources across the world. The internet has transformed the way people live and work, enabling unprecedented access to information, communication, and commerce. However, the internet has also become a powerful tool for criminals and traffickers, who use it to identify, recruit, and exploit victims of human trafficking.

Traffickers may use various forms of online communication, including social media platforms, messaging apps, and classified advertisements, to identify and groom vulnerable individuals for exploitation. These tactics may involve false promises of work or other opportunities, or coercion and intimidation to force individuals into exploitative situations. Traffickers may also use the internet to facilitate the sale and trafficking of victims, using online payment systems and shipping networks to move victims across borders.

The internet has also become a critical tool for those working to combat human trafficking. NGOs, governments, and other organizations can use the internet to raise awareness about the issue, share information about trafficking trends and prevention strategies, and connect victims with support services. Law enforcement agencies can use the internet to investigate and prosecute traffickers, monitor online activity related to trafficking, and coordinate international efforts to combat the problem.

To effectively address human trafficking on the internet, it is important to promote responsible use of technology and online platforms. This includes strengthening laws and regulations to address online trafficking, improving education and awareness about the issue, and providing support services and resources to victims of trafficking who have been exploited online. Governments and NGOs can work to identify and address vulnerabilities that make individuals susceptible to online trafficking, and to promote the use of technology in anti-trafficking efforts.

At the same time, cooperation between governments, NGOs, and technology companies is essential to effectively combat human trafficking in the digital age. Companies can play a role in identifying and removing online content related to trafficking, and in developing tools and technologies to help prevent and detect trafficking. Governments can work to strengthen international cooperation and coordination to address the global nature of online trafficking. Overall, the internet has both enabled and exacerbated human trafficking, and addressing the issue will require a comprehensive and collaborative approach.

 

 

Personal Safety In the Digital Age: 30 Essential Online Safety Tips
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Personal Safety In the Digital Age: 30 Essential Online Safety Tips

Importance of online safety in today’s digital age. In today’s digital age, online safety is of paramount importance due to the pervasive integration of technology into various aspects of our lives. The internet offers incredible opportunities for communication, learning, and productivity, but it also presents numerous risks and threats. Here are key reasons why online…

Amanda’s Story – Internet Safety Video
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Amanda’s Story – Internet Safety Video

Testimony from a victim of assault from an online predator… This is Amanda, and this is her story. Learn more about Safe Surfin’ Foundation here. The Safe Surfin’ Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit Cyber Safety and Responsibility educational initiative, created by law enforcement professionals in 1998, and dedicated not only to protecting youth from those…

Texas and Louisiana’s First Spouses’ Global Human Trafficking Summit – 10.14.21
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Texas and Louisiana’s First Spouses’ Global Human Trafficking Summit – 10.14.21

First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott and First Lady of Louisiana Donna Edwards have partnered in the past year to educate other first spouses along with key stakeholders across the country on anti-human trafficking efforts and resources they can bring back to their own states. The latest educational summit in October 2021 was hosted by the Texas Governor’s Child Sex Trafficking…

Emerging Predatory AI and Bot Technology used by Human Traffickers to Exploit our most Vulnerable Youth
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Emerging Predatory AI and Bot Technology used by Human Traffickers to Exploit our most Vulnerable Youth

Billy Joe and David joined the BEST Community Collaborative Network Zoom today to share some of their research with their attendees. Here’s the thing. The Internet is dangerous. And parents are tossing their kids into it. I try to explain it’s just like dropping your kid off on the side of a megahighway and driving…

Tarrant County 5 Stones October 2023 Meeting
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Tarrant County 5 Stones October 2023 Meeting

Here is our recorded meeting link and chat notes for our October 2023 TC 5 Stones meeting! Our 5 Stones meeting this October consisted of some law enforcement updates and a presentation by Kirsta Melton, Founder and CEO of the Institute to Combat Trafficking, as she discussed pimp culture and the normalization of sexualization within society.  At the…

The Stranger: An interactive story about online grooming…
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The Stranger: An interactive story about online grooming…

The Stranger is an interactive game meant to educate people about online grooming and safety. It was created by Tasia Collins. Tasia Collins is a graduate alum from Purdue University. While in the program, she developed an educational video game for children to demonstrate the importance of internet safety. According to the National Center for…

Prevention Cohort LIVE Ep 12: Making an online course, using AI to create TikTok informational videos, AI audio editing software in Premiere, and much more!
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Prevention Cohort LIVE Ep 12: Making an online course, using AI to create TikTok informational videos, AI audio editing software in Premiere, and much more!

Welcome to the Prevention Cohort LIVE stream, sponsored by PBJ Learning Tonight, we’re going to do something a little bit different. We are going to be taking a look at how we actually do this work. I have had to learn how to use all sorts of editing programs and how to create websites and…