What the project was about: The HUMANIZATECH (HTECH) research project studied how criminals use social media and mobile apps to target minors (children and teenagers). The researchers wanted to understand how online platforms are being misused for crimes against young people and how those methods have changed over time.
What the researchers did: From 2015 to 2021, the researchers collected information from 174 police departments around the world. They analyzed real cases to see how criminals use social networks and apps to contact, manipulate, or exploit minors.
What they discovered: The study found several important things:
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Typical victim profiles – The research identified common characteristics of minors who are more likely to be targeted online.
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More advanced criminal tactics – Criminals are becoming more sophisticated in how they approach and manipulate minors online, especially in crimes related to online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA).
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Use of social media in trafficking – Social networks are increasingly being used to recruit or lure minors into human trafficking situations.
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Platforms used by offenders – The study identified 58 social media platforms and apps that criminals have used to approach and lure minors.
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Hidden platforms – Another 23 platforms are often used for smaller or less visible offenses that may go under the radar of law enforcement.
Why this research matters: By understanding how criminals think and operate online, the project aims to help:
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Police develop better ways to detect and stop these crimes.
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Families and educators create better prevention strategies to protect children and teenagers online.
As a result we published:New Trends in Online Crime Using Social Networking Sites and Apps against Children and Adolescents: Police-Based Longitudinal Research
