Webinar: Child Sex Trafficking And Social Media

Danger! Understanding the Dynamics of Social Media Human Trafficking Recruitment  1 to 3 p.m. Eastern/ Noon to 2 p.m. Central, Friday, April 17 The Big Bend Coalition Against Human Trafficking (BBCAHT), Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) and Florida’s Department of Children and Families invite you to participate in April’s Third Friday Community Training Program remotely. This free webinar is one in a series that BBCAHT and STAC will be organizing during this time of social distancing to keep up our Third Friday training schedule. DESCRIPTION: Social media is increasingly being exploited to contact, recruit, and sell children for sex. Some traffickers use online ads to target victims, or they will send friend/follow requests to young people in their region, proceed to strike up a conversation, and develop online friendships. These conversations may start off friendly and innocent, but then the traffickers will begin to use manipulation to charm their potential victims. The online friendship quickly evolves to a romantic relationship, and this is where the sextortion techniques are used to lure their victims into human trafficking. DURING THIS SESSION: Attendees will learn to recognize signs of social media recruitment and how traffickers lure their victims on the internet. Attendees will learn about the dangers of popular social media dating sites and apps. This session will also discuss popular emojis and their hidden meaning used to communicate sexual gesture when texting or communicating on internet sites and social media apps and will feature both presentation and the opportunity to ask questions and participate. PRESENTER: Marina Anderson, DCF Regional Human Trafficking Coordinator Northeast/Northwest Regions. MODERATOR: Robin Hassler Thompson, STAC Executive Director, Co-Chair BBCAHT Social Services Committee. HOW TO JOIN: AUDIO will be provided through your computer.  CLICK HERE to register with us for this meeting or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/uo64btm SUPPORT: If you have technical questions or concerns, please contact Center Support staff at centersupport@usf.edu