Social Media and Sex Trafficking: Ending the Spread of Misinformation

by Sarah Godoy

 

The COVID-19 global pandemic has significantly increased Internet and social media use, including content creation and consumption, among youth and adults across the world. As current events emerge as a focal point of social media content, users often rely on these platforms as convenient mechanisms to widely disseminate and receive information. Notably, consciousness raising content along with trending hashtags have given rise to and advanced important social justice initiatives, such as the Black Lives Matters movement and anti-child sex trafficking efforts. Child sex trafficking, also known as the commercial sexual exploitation of children, can be defined as inducing a minor into commercial sexual activity for anything of value.

Social media has myriad benefits such as the proliferation of a new form of activism and the promotion of time-sensitive information at rapid speed. The rise of online activism and decentralization of available news has amplified diverse perspectives, experiences, and content that are frequently absent from mainstream media. The increase in social media usage has led to a surge in child sex trafficking content and important information sharing about online threats to youths’ safety. Despite the countless benefits of social media there are prevalent unintended and even harmful consequences of sex trafficking related to misinformation. The rapid spread of misinformation, defined as false or inaccurate content conveyed as fact or truth, is cause for concern, as experts in the anti-sex trafficking field remain wary of unvetted sources and unsubstantiated claims in circulation.

The constant inundation of new and shocking information may desensitize users’ ability to distinguish between evidence-based content and unfounded theories or opinion about child sex trafficking. Additionally, the lack of consistent regulations or oversight of potentially harmful content across social media platforms may unintentionally allow the spread of inaccurate claims. Misinformation is insidious and can be circulated among the general public as well as by people within the anti-trafficking field. It may be difficult for many to distinguish between false narratives and true trafficking accounts, resulting in unintentional reports of unsubstantiated claims. The unintentional (and at times intentional) spreading of misinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories by concerned social media users hinders anti-trafficking efforts.

Misinformation harms individuals and communities experiencing exploitation by redirecting attention and needed resources away from intervention efforts aimed at eradicating trafficking. The Wayfair child trafficking conspiracy theory, for example, was widely circulated among social media platforms and, subsequently, mainstream media. While this conspiracy theory was ultimately proven to be false, it resulted in the National Human Trafficking Hotline receiving hundreds of thoughts of baseless claims that impacted their ability to provide help in-real time to individuals being victimized and service providers requiring consultation. This case exemplifies how misinformation undermines the bandwidth of service providers, misappropriates limited resources, and delegitimizes reliable agencies and efforts. Thus, the circulation of false information that is not appropriately vetted is not helpful in ending trafficking.

Still, digital technologies, including social media platforms, are viable mechanisms to increase interconnectivity and expedite knowledge sharing across spatial boundaries. Though we cannot measure the full impact or lasting implications of misinformed social media content, understanding how to identify credible sources may mitigate the negative effects and encourage sex trafficking awareness.

Here are 5 key ways social media content creators and consumers can avoid and prevent the spread of sex trafficking related misinformation:

  1. Think before you post. Ask yourself, is this information based in evidence or opinion?
  2. Check the source. Ensure the content is shared from a credible and reliable source.
  3. Get educated. Learn more by attending an online training, reading available information, and watching discussions about sex trafficking.
  4. Support local agencies. Donating your time or resources to local, credible anti-trafficking agencies may increase your knowledge about the issue in your area.
  5. Share credible information. Spread information that is credible and provides evidence to support claims (like this post).

 

Community members and service providers can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, or text the words “help” or “info” to 233733 (BEFREE).