An extensive investigation by the Wall Street Journal revealed that the popular social networking application, Instagram, helps create a wide network of accounts that provide sexual content for children.
The Meta Group’s Instagram is the primary platform used by pedophile networks to promote and sell pedophile content, according to a report from Stanford University and The Wall Street Journal.
Researchers from the Cyber Policy Center at the prestigious university located in Silicon Valley said on Wednesday that vast networks of accounts that appear to belong to minors openly promote the sale of child pornography.
“Right now, Instagram is the most important platform for these networks, with features such as content and messaging recommendation algorithms that help sellers connect with buyers,” they added.
And the Wall Street Journal explained that a simple search for hashtags such as #pedowhore and #preteensex leads to accounts using these terms to advertise content showing sexual abuse of minors.
The newspaper added that these accounts often “claim to be run by the children themselves and use sexually explicit pseudonyms.”
The accounts do not directly show that they are selling these images, but they do show menus of options, including requesting specific sexual acts, in some cases.
The Stanford University researchers also monitored showings of video clips that contained bestiality and self-harm. “For a certain price, children are available for personal ‘meetings’,” the newspaper added.
Official associations and authorities accuse Instagram of not providing adequate protection for children from the dangers of harassment, addiction, and psychological problems resulting from forming a certain self-image.
