Online platforms have become embedded in our everyday life. Marketplaces such as Vinted, alongside social media platforms including Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok, are widely used by millions of people every day.

While these platforms are designed for connection and commerce, ongoing concerns have been raised internationally about how they may be misused to circulate illegal or harmful content, including material specifically linked to child exploitation.

There has in the last few weeks been public outcry following reports in some jurisdictions that online marketplaces are being used to advertise or exchange items that raise serious safeguarding concerns. This has flagged listings which many believe involve children “for sale”. In simplistic terms, major concerns have been raided that online platforms could be being used to traffic children as young as babies for sexual exploitation.

Advertisements include to depict toys but allude to human trafficking by including in the description sex, age, size and characteristics of the item such as obedient girl. Further reg flags include the pricing, with the toy or stuffed animal being listed ranging up to £26,000.

Often these cases can involve multiple jurisdictions, therefore legal enforcement becomes more problematic in preventing crimes such as child trafficking.

French police have now launched an investigation to see in a criminal network is operating through Vinted.

These cases, while not representative of legitimate platform use, highlight the challenges of moderation at scale and the evolving nature of online harm.

TikTok have responded confirming they have investigated and removed such advertisements and banning accounts.

Why online social media platforms and marketplaces are under scrutiny

Peer-to-peer platforms are built on speed, accessibility and user-generated content. This means that loopholes can be found by criminals who seek to go undetected. This includes the ability for individuals to list items quickly, communicate directly without vetting, and complete transactions with limited friction;

• Listings are not always vetted
• Users can operate under anonymous or unverified profiles
• Communication happens directly between individuals often involving different jurisdictions and can be used with various online currencies which makes tracking transactions more difficult.

Where systems rely heavily on reactive moderation, harmful content may be visible before it is identified.

There have been wider concerns across digital platforms for some time about the potential circulation of illegal or exploitative material including deep fakes, but this now goes further with trafficking.  Much concern has been raised about the dark web, but these recent concerns demonstrate that abuse may be going on in plain sight.

These concerns are not limited to one platform and have been the subject to much regulatory scrutiny.

The presence of these concerns raises important questions about detection, prevention and accountability of online platforms and whether enough is being done or what further changes need to be enforced quickly.

Across platforms such as Meta and TikTok, safeguarding organisations have repeatedly highlighted the risks posed by grooming, sharing of indecent images and exploitive content.

How Switalskis supports survivors

At Switalskis, we support individuals and families affected by sexual abuse, including cases where contact or manipulation began online.

We understand that these cases are often complex, deeply distressing and difficult to identify at the time.

If you have been impacted and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our specialist abuse team  can help. Call 0800 1380 458  or email help@switalskis.com