Peer-reviewed article

The increase in online child sexual solicitation and abuse: Indicator 16.2.3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) documents a hidden and growing pandemic. Population-based surveys fail to capture the full picture

Katrin Chauviré-Geib, Jelena Gerke, Ann‐Christin Haag, Cedric Sachser, David Finkelhor B et al. · 18 Apr 2025

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for systematic monitoring of the prevalence of sexual violence against children and young people. The rise of the internet has facilitated the risk of online child sexual solicitation and abuse (OCSSA), a critical issue that warrants particular attention and must not be overlooked. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the prevalence of OCSSA, distinguishing between online child sexual abuse (OCSA) and online sexual solicitation (OSS) in Germany, and explores generational differences. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A representative German sample of 3098 participants aged 18-96 was assessed. The 18-29 age group was oversampled, and the results were weighted accordingly. METHOD: -tests, and logistic regression were used to analyze age-related differences, controlling for socio-demographic and -economic factors. RESULTS: In the general population, 10.3 % reported experiencing at least one form of OCSSA, with 2.8 % reporting OCSA, and 9.3 % OSS. Among younger participants aged 18-29, prevalence was significantly higher at 31.6 % for OCSSA, 3.5 % for OCSA, and 29.6 % for OSS. The most common experiences among younger participants were exposure to pornographic material (21.1 %) and sexualized conversation (15.0 %). Age was the main predictor of OCSSA. CONCLUSION: OCSSA is significantly more prevalent among younger generations in Germany, likely due to increased exposure to digital environments during childhood coupled with the proliferation of the internet and social media in recent decades. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention efforts addressing online risks.