In a world where we believed slavery had been relegated to history, it’s alarming to realize that it still thrives, now intertwined with modern technology. Consider this staggering fact: Human trafficking, an industry fueled by cruelty, generates an annual revenue of around 39 billion dollars, as reported by UNICEF. This global issue demands our immediate attention, as it persists and evolves in the shadows of our digital age.

The Persistence of Human Trafficking

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) defines human trafficking as involving the coercion, movement, and exploitation of individuals, often through threats, force, or deception. Despite societal progress, this malevolent practice remains pervasive and covert, even within developed countries. UNICEF USA highlights the unsettling reality that human trafficking is prevalent in all fifty states of the United States. This grave issue knows no bounds of race, gender, or nationality.

Child trafficking, a particularly harrowing form of modern slavery, exemplifies the extent of the problem. Though commonly associated with developing nations, it’s a myth that this crime is confined to such regions. Disturbingly, even the United States harbors a significant human trafficking issue, particularly involving children. Our world, it seems, is facing an ethical dilemma: Where were we when our children were being traded like commodities?

The Root Causes of Trafficking

The underlying cause of much of this exploitation is poverty, an affliction that roots individuals and families in desperation. Struggling to meet basic needs, parents from impoverished communities often find themselves tragically selling their own children in hopes of securing survival. Human traffickers prey upon these dire circumstances, exploiting the vulnerable with deceitful promises of better lives. This summarizes the words of the Borgen Project, which states, “Poverty is a compelling factor in the human trafficking industry.” Traffickers seek out those living in poverty, those in desperate situations, those without legitimate job options, those without educational opportunities, and those seeking an escape from violence.

Additionally, conflict and displacement caused by war provide fertile ground for traffickers to exploit refugees and stranded individuals. Regrettably, some African governments have underestimated these catalysts, leading to the rampant occurrence of human trafficking in the region. This underscores that vulnerability is the breeding ground for human trafficking, irrespective of geographical borders.

In essence, human traffickers target individuals living in impoverished conditions, those experiencing desperation, those lacking legitimate employment prospects, those deprived of educational opportunities, and those seeking an escape from violence.

The Role of Technology in Human Trafficking

As times have evolved, so have the methods of human trafficking. The advent of technology has brought about unprecedented opportunities for traffickers to exploit the vulnerable. In a disturbing trend highlighted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Africa), pedophiles are now utilizing AI to create and circulate lifelike child sexual abuse content. This reprehensible practice capitalizes on social media platforms like Instagram, where children unwittingly encounter these advertisements.

According to an expert, Ms. Gelber, in an annual meeting of the Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, “Technology is also being used to commit ‘virtual child sex trafficking,’ which takes place when an offender in the United States sends a digital payment to a trafficker in another country. The trafficker will then sexually abuse a child in front of a web camera, while the offender in the United States watches a livestream of the abuse.”

The internet has made it easier for traffickers to exploit victims and connect with buyers from across the world. Traffickers either use classified ad sites for sex services, review sites for sex services, or dating sites that include commercial arrangements.

Based on information from the U.S. Government Accountability Office in an online publication, Congress enacted legislation aimed at making online platform providers responsible for addressing issues related to prostitution and trafficking on their platforms in 2018. However, federal prosecutors reported that they had only utilized this law on a single occasion because the law is new, and they have achieved successful prosecutions using existing laws in the past.

Shockingly, there exist inadequate regulations to shield users, especially children, from such harmful content. However, it’s important to note that technology can also be used as a tool to detect or identify traffickers and support police investigations. Nevertheless, entering the digital world can expose the location and personal information of victims.

Our Responsibility Against Chains

This convergence of technology and human trafficking is a global crisis, as emphasized by Nelson Mandela, who rightly stated that we owe our children a life free from violence and fear. As a society, we find ourselves at a crossroads, where our children’s safety hangs in the balance. The issues we disregard are the very ones tarnishing the fabric of our society. Technology companies should make it a point to include strict frameworks around easy access to personal information to protect the human rights of privacy. It seems as though, with the use of technology, we are beginning to trade our safety for the invasion of privacy.

So What Now?

In conclusion, the intertwining of human trafficking and technology is a grim reminder that the fight against modern slavery is far from over. It is imperative that we collectively raise our voices, advocate for stricter regulations, and work tirelessly to ensure the safety and freedom of our most vulnerable citizens—our children.

By: Victoria Oyebande

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