With periods of confinement and curfews, minors are spending more and more time on screens. At the same time, online violence against minors is exploding. In 2020, they increased by 57%. This cyberviolence is often of a sexual nature.

” Young people are approached on the most famous social networks, like Instagram, Snapchat and then they will start to discuss, to exchange a little more in depth and content of a sexual nature, often on video, will be shared by the victim. From that moment on, the author will completely change his speech, he will cut off all contact and he will simply ask for a ransom, money », Explains Romain Chibout, coordinator of the Net Listen line/association e-Childhood, a listening platform to help underage children and adolescents.

Have content removed

The listeners of the platform are mobilizing to remove the content published on the internet without the consent of the victims.

” If they have screenshots or if they have meaningful account names, we suggest that they submit our report form. If we are a partner with the social network, we will go back to moderation so that it is removed as quickly as possible.

And then we will gather as much evidence as possible to file a complaint, since dissemination of a sexual nature or threats are punishable by law. It is also a way for them to rebuild themselves, to show that there is justice. And we will reassure them, listen to them and redirect them if necessary to psychological help », Explains one of the listeners of the platform.

Essential psychological help. Even after the removal of content, young victims of cyberviolence often come out broken.

Psychological consequences

” The psychological consequences are multiple: loss of confidence, low self-esteem and in the most serious cases unfortunately, violence that can be self-inflicted, with young people who can scarify themselves or unfortunately sometimes also put an end to it. their lives since this confinement, which is created by cyberstalking, can be extreme violence », Specifies Samuel Comblez, psychologist at the e-Enfance association.

Parents, doctor, teachers or help line … Specialists recommend that victims increase their contacts to break the confinement and convict the perpetrators of this violence. They face a fine of 60,000 euros and two years in prison.

To contact the Net Ecoute platform:

www.netecoute.fr

And a toll free number: 0 800 200 000