GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNS FIRST-IN-THE-NATION LAW HOLDING SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE
Since 2000, traffickers have recruited 55% of sex trafficking victims online, usually through social media platforms.
Authored by Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, AB 1394 addresses the the soaring rates of child sexual abuse and child sex trafficking online by holding social media platforms liable for contributing to these crimes. Social media companies would face civil penalties for each act of commercial sexual exploitation facilitated, aided, or abetted by their platform.
42%
Online sexual exploitation and abuse of children has increased over the last 15 years.
(Federal Sentencing of Child Pornography Production Offenses, October 2021)
32%
LGBTQ+ minors reported an online sexual encounter with someone they believed to be over 18, ten percent higher than their non-LGBTQ+ peers.
(May 2021, Responding to Online Threats, Research by Thorn)
25%
9-12 year olds report having had an online sexually explicit interaction with someone they believed to be an adult.
(May 2021, Responding to Online Threats, Research by Thorn)
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The current legal system isn't protecting our kids… As any parent knows, we have to take more action.