Experts warn of rise in sadistic online exploitation of vulnerable children

The cases received by the NCMEC represent only a small fraction of the total number of incidents, experts say. Photograph: Chainarong Prasertthai/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Cases of predators coercing children into producing sexual photos and videos of themselves have surged globally in the past year, a cruel phenomenon known as “sadistic online exploitation”, child safety experts and law enforcement officials warn.

In cases of sadistic online exploitation, perpetrators target vulnerable teens on social media platforms and online games. These predators then compel their victims into producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), harming themselves and others, or, in extreme cases, attempting suicide.