New Trends in Online Crime Using Social Networking Sites and Apps against Children and Adolescents: Police-Based Longitudianl Research

Abstract

The digital industry has developed substantially from the beginning of the 21st century with new tools such as social networking sites (SNSs) and Apps, providing new scenarios for criminality sometimes difficult to recognize due to their digital nature. Additionally, social media has swift the access to data traditionally managed by police departments, to a more public sphere. Therefore, a better understanding of the critical evolutions of these digital dynamics, often not seen from the mental health, nor the criminal perspectives, is needed. The following presents HUMANIZATECH (HTECH), the empirical longitudinal research (Dec.2015 – Dec.2021) gathering systematic data from 174 police departments worldwide, on the criminal use of SNSs and Apps against minors. Main findings include 1) a profile of potential victims, 2) a swift to a more sophisticated criminal dynamics related to OCSEA, 3) an evolution on the use of SNSs towards human trafficking, further explaining 4) a list of 58 platforms proved to be used to lure teens, tweens, and adolescents, followed by 5) a list of 23 more used for minor offences and under the radar of law enforcement agencies. The prior results gather specific information for a genuine understanding of the online modus operandi, from the criminal mind and the underage user. These will contribute to designing accurate resources for law enforcement agencies (intervention), and for families (prevention) strategies.