Recognizing the profound risk sextortion poses to young people, Meta is taking decisive steps on Safer Internet Day to safeguard teens against this form of exploitation.
Meta, in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), is expanding its Take It Down program globally. Initially available in English and Spanish, it’s now accessible in more languages, including Nigeria.
This expansion ensures millions more teens can reclaim control over their intimate images and prevent unauthorized sharing, fostering a safer online environment for all.
The Take It Down platform empowers individuals under 18, as well as concerned parents or adults, to take proactive steps against the unauthorized sharing of intimate imagery. Through a secure process that assigns a unique digital fingerprint to images or videos, users can effectively identify and remove harmful content without compromising their privacy.
John Shehan, Senior Vice President at NCMEC, emphasizes the significance of this expansion: “Making Take It Down available in 25 languages is a pivotal step towards safeguarding children from the horrors of online exploitation all over the world.”In collaboration with Thorn, Meta has updated its Stop Sextortion hub to offer comprehensive guidance in over 50 languages.
These resources empower teens, parents, and educators to recognize, prevent, and respond to sextortion attempts effectively. By providing accessible information, Meta aims to equip individuals worldwide with the tools to combat online exploitation, fostering digital resilience and safety.
Kelbi Schnabel, Senior Manager at Thorn, acknowledges the impact of this collaborative effort: “Our joint initiative is already empowering parents and teens to understand the risks and take action, which is a testament to the power of collaborative action in tackling complex challenges like sextortion.”
The company is also launching a global campaign to raise awareness about sextortion scams. Collaborating with safety organizations and creators worldwide, Meta aims to shed light on these nefarious practices and provide individuals with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves. Through education and advocacy, Meta endeavors to create a culture of digital safety and responsibility, empowering individuals to navigate the online landscape confidently.
Building upon existing safety measures, Meta continues to prioritize user safety, particularly for young people. From safety notices on Instagram to stricter default message settings, Meta remains dedicated to fostering a safer online environment. By proactively addressing emerging threats and leveraging technology for good, Meta reaffirms its commitment to protecting users from online harm.
