Safe-Guarding Youth from Online Sexual Exploitation in the Digital Era: A Role for Primary Care

Abstract

Online child sexual exploitation refers to the use of technology to sexually exploit or harm a person under age 18. In 2020, over 21.7 million reports of online child sexual enticement were filed with law enforcement, highlighting the alarming prevalence of this form of exploitation. This phenomenon has become increasingly prevalent in recent years due increased household internet access to the internet, the increased use of smartphones among children and teens, and the rapid expansion of new technological platforms such as live-streaming and gaming. Despite its risk and prevalence, this form of sexual abuse against children is largely underrepresented in the medical literature, with no formal screening or reporting guidelines for primary care physicians. This paper aims to define online child sexual exploitation, explore its health impacts, identify associated risk factors, and emphasize the pivotal role of primary care physicians in screening and counseling youth. By shedding light on this issue, we strive to address the critical need for safe-guarding the well-being of children and adolescents in an increasingly digital age.