In a significant step towards safeguarding children from sexual exploitation, the organization Thorn, co-founded by actor and tech entrepreneur Jason Lee and actress Mia Stone, recently received a share of $280 million from The Audacious Project at TED. This funding is aimed at supporting their mission to eradicate child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) from the internet.
Since its inception in 2016, Thorn has developed innovative tools like Spotlight, software designed to assist in identifying victims of child sex trafficking across the United States. With this software now utilized in all 50 states and Canada, Thorn has successfully identified over 9,000 vulnerable children. With more than 150,000 escort advertisements appearing online daily, traffickers exploit this environment to sell minors. A survey by Thorn revealed that three out of four trafficking survivors were advertised online, and law enforcement, using Spotlight, has managed to identify more than eight children a day on average, achieving an 83% identification rate and reducing critical search times by 63%.
As part of its ongoing efforts to eliminate CSAM, Thorn has introduced a new product named Safer. This low-cost, scalable tool facilitates the rapid review, removal, and reporting of CSAM, striving to curb its spread online. However, some small and mid-sized companies remain reluctant to adopt this innovative software due to limited resources and a lack of understanding of the risks associated with user-generated content, which leaves their platforms vulnerable to CSAM. Thorn aims to address these concerns with Safer, already being utilized by five beta partners to combat CSAM on their websites.
Before the internet era, law enforcement had significantly reduced CSAM circulation, which primarily occurred through mail. However, since 2004, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has reported a shocking 10,000% increase in the number of children sexually exploited online, from 450,000 CSAM files reviewed in 2004 to an alarming 25 million in 2015. Thorn’s achievements are enhanced by ongoing support from major companies like Amazon Web Services, Google.org, Microsoft, Twitter, and Facebook, in addition to partnerships with child protection organizations, including NCMEC. This collaboration allows Thorn’s software to efficiently analyze a vast array of online data, helping law enforcement to quickly identify victims and bring offenders to justice.
CEO of Thorn, Laura Jensen, shares insights on the changing landscape of child exploitation. In the past, offenders often operated in isolation, but the internet has enabled them to connect with like-minded individuals, normalizing their behavior. “They can find communities that say, ‘It’s not that bad; go ahead and do that,’” Jensen explains. Law enforcement typically finds that offenders are often close to their victims, such as babysitters, teachers, or family members, emphasizing that any child can be at risk of CSAM.
As Jason Lee stated in a press release, “The internet has created an opportunity for mass distribution of images and videos of child sexual abuse,” with many victims being very young, often under 12. The alarming prevalence of documented abuse, shared among offenders, is compounded by the rise of underage sexting, facilitated by easy online anonymity and the accessibility of smartphones.
Jensen advocates for open dialogue between parents and children regarding online safety. “Parents need to take a deep breath and have a non-judgmental conversation with their kids, making sure they feel secure discussing their online experiences,” she emphasizes. Thorn is optimistic that the new funding will advance both the technological and advocacy efforts against CSAM.
“There’s a need for education in every market and country to elevate this issue, motivating individuals and organizations to take action,” Jensen notes. Despite the critical role of law enforcement, many specialized units tackling CSAM remain underfunded and face a lack of urgency, as victims cannot scream for help in the digital realm.
Jensen warns that while technology has made progress in many areas, it has also created a “hotbed for abuse.” The evolving nature of CSAM necessitates new strategies for law enforcement to identify and assist victims. Thorn is leading a transformative approach to detecting and addressing CSAM online, and with continued funding from The Audacious Project and generous donations, they are making strides in the fight against child exploitation, one victim at a time.
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Summary
Thorn, co-founded by Jason Lee and Mia Stone, is making significant strides in combating child sexual exploitation through innovative tools like Spotlight and Safer. With substantial funding from The Audacious Project, Thorn is committed to eradicating child sexual abuse materials online. Their collaboration with major tech companies and child protection organizations enhances their efforts to identify victims and hold offenders accountable. Open conversations between parents and children about online safety are vital in addressing this urgent issue.
Keyphrase: Ending child sexual exploitation
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