With the Coronavirus pandemic diverting in-person interactions onto virtual environments, sexual abuse predators have taken to Zoom, social media, and live streaming platforms to access and share exploitative and abusive content of children.
Technology companies have taken measures to increase security and screening protocols such as including password protection, content review and content removal. However, with the increased amount of time that children spend at home online for e-learning, virtually socializing with friends, accessing live-streaming apps and browsing social media, the effectiveness of protection against online abuse for your child falls short.
In order to actively counteract online vulnerabilities to abuse, here is a list of predator codes and symbols to look out for on virtual platforms:
C.P. - Child Pornography
Chicken/Caldo de Pollo - Most often associated with exploitative content of young boys.
Cheese - Most often associated with exploitative content of young girls.
Double Heart Symbol - Also known as Girl Lover. This symbol consists of a small heart surrounded by a bigger heart and symbolizes a relationship between an underage girl and an adult.
Double Triangle Symbol - Also known as Boy Lover. This symbol consists of a small triangle surrounded by a bigger triangle and symbolizes a relationship between an underage boy and an adult man.
Pink and Blue Heart Butterfly - also known as Child Lover. Here, the butterfly wings are in the shape of hearts and represent a pedophile who does not have a gender preference regarding relationships with minors.
With ever-changing technology, predators have found new ways of perpetrating child abuse and adapted their codes of communication. It’s imperative to stay updated on these seemingly innocent symbols as they have the potential to expose your child to significant harm. We urge parents to constantly reinforce online security measures in virtual platforms, live-streaming sites, and social media applications to broaden your shield of protection.
Finally, remind your child that the safety boundaries they use in-person should also be used online, and to avoid or report any profile that has posted predator codes and symbols. As a parent, we encourage you to remind your child that they can always feel safe and confident in speaking out to you regarding any troubling content they find online.
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