02 December 2024
A leading University of South Australia researcher is calling for greater media literacy, early in children’s formal education, as an 'essential line of defence' against online child abuse and sexual exploitation.
In a newly published book chapter, Associate Professor Lesley-Ann Ey lays out the urgent case for equipping young people with critical thinking skills to help them navigate the digital world safely.
With online child sexual abuse and exploitation on the rise Associate Professor Ey says that more children and young people are at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation.
“Children and young people have been vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation throughout history,” Assoc Prof Ey says.
“The internet has amplified this vulnerability, giving perpetrators greater access to potential victims.”
Assoc Prof Ey says that current educational resources that primarily advise adolescents against risky behaviours are often ineffective.
“Adolescents are naturally more inclined to take risks, and they benefit more from applied critical thinking skills than they do from being told what not to do. They need a way to gain a practical understanding of online risks."
She advocates for early media literacy education for young children before they begin venturing into online spaces.
“Young children, who are increasingly online, need to start developing their online safety skills and awareness early,” Ey says.
“Media literacy extends beyond learning digital tools; it involves understanding how these tools influence identity, choices, and safety.
“Without this education, children may unwittingly expose sensitive information. For example, if they post photos without removing metadata, or leave location services on, they’re revealing details that can make them more vulnerable.
“Media literacy is not just about fake news; it is being able to recognise the signs of manipulation and be aware of the hazards of the digital environment.
“If media literacy is not a part of the protective measures we take against sexual abuse and exploitation, and protecting against those harms is not part of media literacy; then both are missing something fundamental.”
Assoc Prof Ey says that critical thinking is a skill that goes beyond preventing online exploitation.
“When we teach young people to ask questions about the media they consume – who created it, for what purpose, and what its impact might be – they develop a toolkit for assessing all types of content,” she says.
“This empowers them to spot misinformation, identify manipulated images, and recognise fake profiles, all of which are the tools of online predators.
“Perpetrators are strategic in their approach, often engaging children on accessible platforms like gaming and social media before shifting to private messaging to avoid detection.
"Teaching children to evaluate their online interactions critically – questioning who they’re speaking to and why – can disrupt these plans.”
Assoc Prof Ey says teaching young people about privacy settings and helping them understand that the choices they make can expose their personal data.
“Children need to understand what it means to click ‘accept’ on terms and conditions, or to share content publicly,” Ey says.
“This awareness can help them protect their privacy and reduce vulnerability, as it enables them to make informed choices about what and with whom they share.
"Media literacy is not just about preventing harm; it’s about equipping young people to navigate a complex digital world with confidence.”
Notes for editors:
This chapter is published as: Lesley-Anne 2024 'Child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation and the need for media literacy as a protective mechanism', The Importance of Media Literacy: Getting the Most from the Digital World, ch. 17, pp. 233-251.
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Contact for interview: E: Lesley-Anne.Ey@unisa.edu.au
UniSA Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au
