What is happening in Lebanon is not isolated from global events. These locally uncovered networks are merely extensions of human trafficking rings that are intertwined with trafficking in human organs, drugs, arms smuggling, and money laundering.
International studies indicate that approximately two-thirds of teenagers worldwide use TikTok, exposing themselves to various risks. By watching educational and comedic videos, boys and girls not only waste time, but also fall prey to sexual harassment, drug advertising, extortion, bullying, eating disorders, and unrealistic beauty standards.
Investing in User Vulnerability
Computer science experts say algorithms can identify vulnerabilities in app users and, instead of treating them with caution, invest in them as potential content addicts.
Children are vulnerable to content that distorts their self-perception, body image, and mental health. Thus, social climbers, frivolous individuals, and those with sick psyches find a virtual space to promote themselves, make money, and lure children. However, these characters do not materialize on their own; there are those in the background who create and contribute to their appearance and exploit them when the opportunity arises.
In terms of privacy violations, TikTok was previously fined €345 million ($394 million) for violating EU laws on children’s data, including failing to protect children’s content. The Irish Data Protection Committee (DPC), which is responsible for overseeing TikTok’s operations across the EU, found serious violations by the app, including allowing adults to view and comment on children’s posts without restriction, even when the accounts are private. This is a significant violation of children’s privacy and safety, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
Due to the rapid pace of technological advancement, legislation aimed at monitoring and regulating content at its source has failed to provide protection, especially given the length of time it takes for legislation to take effect. Therefore, the safety of children on social media platforms, especially TikTok, is at risk, and this is not new information. There have been several global scandals in recent years, including the luring of children into human trafficking networks through games, rewards, or various forms of enticement.
What is happening in Lebanon is not isolated from global events. These locally uncovered networks are merely extensions of human trafficking rings that are intertwined with trafficking in human organs, drugs, arms smuggling, and money laundering.
Self-Harm
Research suggests that as little as two and a half minutes of exposure to TikTok content is enough to drive users to self-harming content.
Regardless of the laws that should be put in place to protect against digital harm, it has been striking how the Lebanese authorities have mishandled the recent disaster involving a network that exploits and sexually abuses minors. Conflicting reports continue to emerge. This is in addition to a series of violations against children who were victims of the TikTok gang.
All of this points to an unacceptable confusion in responding to the needs of child victims, from the leaking of information about the network and its members, to the disclosure of the identities of children, whether victims or exploited to lure their peers, to reports of pressure from people with power during the investigation.
It is a series of violations that we need to hold someone accountable for. The initial narrative was that the Cybercrime Bureau was conducting the investigation after the discovery of the crime, in coordination with child protection. Later, it was discovered that the children were being interrogated without lawyers present. There was also evidence of intimidation during the investigation. Confrontations between victims and perpetrators were also leaked. What confusion and what violence?
Since the announcement of this catastrophic crime, the frivolous and the mountaineers have joined forces to spread rumors. They’ve even gone so far as to exploit children in dirty role-playing games. The vulgarity was not limited to the frivolous; there were also journalists who added mockery to a case of such seriousness and sensitivity. When we point out that this mockery is an additional harm, we see that they increase their mockery.
What if the child victim were your son, brother, relative, or your son’s friend?
On one hand, there is circulation by those known as activists of unreliable news, either celebrating one side or denouncing another. This is a quagmire where many slide without giving the utmost importance to the interests of the children who have fallen victim to these crimes.
As for the media, after being a partner in promoting dubious characters and dedicating their stardom, it becomes evident later their role in luring children. Now it jumps to book an appointment with the “full truth”.
There is significant confusion that does not respect the pain of the victims and their need for specialized intervention to protect them from harmful investigations and political interests. All of this is happening while the government entities responsible for child protection are either absent or react to the event only after it has escalated when their goal should be to prevent harm.
