A warning - the following story contains elements that may distress some people Australia's eSafety Commissioner is sounding the alarm about sexual extortion online, after receiving more than 2,000 complaints in just six months. It's prompted renewed demands for big tech to do more to prevent young people being blackmailed on digital platforms. The issue has also reignited the broader debate about how to regulate social media and emerging AI.
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TRANSCRIPT:
New data from the eSafety Commissioner has detailed the growing threat young people face from sexual extortion online.
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to release an intimate image or video of a person unless they send money or comply with other demands.
Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has told the ABC that young men are the most common victims.
"You won't be surprised that it's an under-reported crime. After adjusting the numbers from the last fiscal year we had 8000 reports of image abuse - non-consensual sharing of intimate images and videos. Half of these were sexual extortion targeting young men. And they're getting younger: 15 and 16 years old."
Last year, research jointly conducted by eSafety and the Australian Institute of Criminology found one in three adolescents had experienced sextortion, with more than half having that experience before they were 16.
eSafety's latest report says Instagram and WhatsApp have been the most cited platforms of concern for the growing number of complaints about the threats young people have been receiving, with Apple's iMessage and Snapchat following close behind for users under 18.
With the federal government currently planning its strategy on AI, Health Minister Mark Butler has told Channel Nine the government wants to manage the risks online - but they are also keen to harness opportunities.
"And with this technology, maybe more than most, I think people are also focused on managing the risks and the safety potential for this technology, and those three things, balancing them, bringing them all together, and doing it in an Australian way, I think has been the focus of our government. And you'll hear more about that from the Prime Minister. And I think we can be proud of what we do in this area. I mean, the last big wave of technology, that social media wave, is something where I think we've led the world in managing risks and particularly safety risks to young people. So we can do this, but this is a big wave of technology, perhaps bigger than any other we have seen."
eSafety's report indicates that even as artificial intelligence increasingly dominates the development of digital platforms, generative AI is being used to target and deceive sextortion victims.
The Commissioner has told ABC News the same technology could be used for prevention - for example by analysing messages for telltale signs of sextortion scripts.
"Well, of course, they have vast amounts of technology. This is not a new crime. It's another social engineering scam that's been around for a while. Five years ago, I sent intelligence reports to companies like Snap and Instagram, saying: 'Hey, we can see that these criminals are literally colonising your platforms. There are about 10,000 fake and imposter accounts with the same images. Use a little AI. You can identify those."
The eSafety Commission says several services lack clear, accessible pathways for users to report sexual extortion or child abuse.
Communications Minister Anika Wells says big tech needs to take stronger action.
"There are no excuses here. Big tech is required under Australian law to protect Australians online from illegal material or face fines of up to fifty-four point six million dollars. The Albanese government is committed to a future where digital platforms and services are designed with the safety of their users in mind. This will become the norm rather than the exception."
As the concerns continue around AI and tech platforms' responses to online sextortion, a debate is also raging over ways to strengthen Australia's world-leading social media ban for children under 16.
The ban has already sparked a global response, with dozens of countries pursuing similar policies and an EU panel tasked with investigating the issue recommending access restrictions for children aged under 13.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, has endorsed the idea.
"The more we learn and the more we see the impact on our children, the stronger the argument becomes for social media start date. Just as we don't give our children keys to the car before they have their license, or we do not let them buy alcohol until they are legally allowed, we need to set the age at which they can, the children, can legally access social media."
A doctor by training, she argues it's clear social media has strong potential to harm children's health.
"Let me be very clear, social media is not a toy. Well ultimately, it is up to the parents to decide when children get their first smartphone. What we already have is a consensus that there needs to be a start date for the age children can join social media. The status quo, a world where we continue to allow big tech unrestricted access to our children, will only consign another generation to more mental harm, addiction, and misery."
The Australian government has already announced plans to go further - with research showing many teenagers have retained their accounts despite the social media ban.
Labor has introduced legislation that would double fines for social media companies and boost enforcement powers for the eSafety Commission.
That legislation will be debated again when parliament returns next month.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has urged the Coalition to support the changes.
"This is beyond politics. This is about protecting our future, Australian children and Australian young people. Yet we've already seen the coalition put politics before kids' safety online with their decision to stall laws that would strengthen eSafety's powers. They are leaving us all to fight with one hand tied behind our backs. The Albanese government won't let that happen because big tech is looking for shortcuts. We will do everything in our powers to stop that from happening. Angus Taylor and the coalition should be doing that as well."
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25). More information is available at beyondblue.org.au and lifeline.org.au.
Anyone seeking information or support relating to sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.
