Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) released “Online Safety Guide, Safe Use of Social Media” which offers guidance on the risks one might face online, and some advice on how to stay secure & responsible and maintain a positive digital footprint.
Anything that is uploaded and shared online such as a photo, video, or text is content. While a lot of content online is positive in nature, there is a plethora of content that can cause distress or emotional harm.
Online spaces are being used by predators and other bad actors to accelerate illegal and harmful activity in an unprecedented way. There is a chance that you might meet people online that aren’t who they say they are. Grooming is a word to describe the tactics abusers use via the internet to sexually exploit and manipulate young people and children.
Groomers use social media platforms popular with young people and pretend to be one of them. They select their victim based on perceived vulnerability and attempt to befriend them by pretending to share similar hobbies or interests, using someone else’s pictures, offering gifts or followers, and sharing “secrets”.
Once the groomer gains the victim’s trust, they may ask for explicit pictures or videos from the young person. They will try to emotionally blackmail the victim and threaten to block them if they say no to such requests. The victim may feel helpless and end up sharing intimate pictures – which can be used for extortion later by the groomer.
Online groomers may be somebody the victim has already met through their family or through the social circle. They will further use the internet to build a relationship with their victim. Groomers can pretend to be charismatic, kind, and occasionally helpful and young people may not realize that they are being groomed
Online predators will target children and young adults on platforms and apps that young people are most likely to use (including job forums and gaming sites). They may also appear to be the same age as their victim. The predator will often start a friendly conversation or offer advice to gain the victim’s trust before asking them for their phone number to chat privately.
The person contacting you online could be a stranger or someone you already know or have met. They can be someone who is older or close to your age. Predators will also lie about their gender, where they live, and their actual motivations.
Here are some warning signs:
By adjusting your privacy settings, you can stay in control of who sees what you post online and who can contact you directly
Go through your social media friends and followers list. Check if you actually know them. Delete contacts that look suspicious or have not posted in a while.
Take screenshots of messages, pictures, phone numbers, etc. that make you uncomfortable.
Once you have all your screenshots, report the person directly to the platform and then block their account to prevent them from sending you further messages.
Report cyber-harassment or blackmailing to Cyber Crime Wing – Federal Investigation Agency. Helpline: 1991 Email: helpdesk@nr3c.gov.pk Website: www.fia.gov.pk/ccw