A recent investigation by Stanford University and the Wall Street Journal has revealed troubling use of Instagram by networks involved in the promotion and distribution of child sexual abuse content.
According to the research conducted by the Cyber Policy Center at Stanford, multiple accounts, seemingly run by minors, openly market and sell self-produced material depicting child sexual exploitation.
“Instagram has emerged as the leading platform for these networks, thanks to its recommendation algorithms and direct messaging capabilities that streamline connections between buyers and sellers,” the report indicated.
Searches for sexually explicit terms related to children reportedly lead users to accounts that leverage these keywords to promote content involving the sexual abuse of minors.
Many profiles present themselves as operated by children, adopting sexually explicit pseudonyms to attract potential buyers, the article noted.
While these accounts often refrain from explicitly stating that they sell such images, they do display menus listing options that include various sexual activities.
The Stanford team also uncovered offers for videos involving bestiality and self-harm, highlighting the severe nature of this illicit market.
The report further emphasized that children are allegedly available for in-person encounters at specified prices.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has not yet responded to an AFP request for comment on these findings.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Meta has acknowledged existing shortcomings in its security measures and has initiated a task force to address the concerns highlighted in the investigation.
This comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed in March by investment and pension funds against Meta, accusing the social media giant of neglecting human trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material across its platforms.
