Hani Jahshan, forensic consultant and expert in violence against children, said there is a lack of studies or accurate statistics in Jordan about the exploitation of children through social media networks, noting that the absence of statistics is a result of the lack of reporting of cases for several reasons, mainly out of the victim’s fear of shame and stigma or because the abuser has wide influence or rich, or because of the lack of awareness. In some cases, the exploiter is a symbol of authority (teacher, employer, clerics or tribal leader). Some families distrust law enforcement in (police, courts and law) which is usually unfair when dealing with these cases.
Jahshan added in interview with Arabs Today that the exploitation of children through social media networks happens only when digital content material is not subject to adequate control of parents or caregivers, explaining that children will be exposed inevitably to see materials that are characterized by exploitation, including negative content on PCs, ordinary mobile, tablets or smart mobile phones through apps, text messages, emails, or video game.
Jahshan said that the risks of social media are multiple, including habituation and addiction to watch pornography, as they download these materials frequently on their devices and share them with their friends or colleagues. Sometimes those children are used to produce pornographic materials through his phone camera, or through sexual activities to be photographed. These pornographic materials are often trafficked.
Jahshan explained that when children and adolescents watch violent scenes, they would reflect in various forms of verbal and physical violence. There are indicators that the violent scenes in different media are dangerous and prompt to commit violence. They may lead to psychological disorders and addiction to alcohol and drugs, pointing out that the severity of the impact of violent scenes on children depend directly on the digital content and its ability to attract children, as well as the child's family environment.
Jahshan said that Cybercrime law No. 27 of 2015 contains an adequate penalty, similar to most of the laws of the countries that have preceded us in such legislation. This law does not cancel out the punishment of the offender by more severe penalty if he commits sexual assault in accordance with the Penal Code.