The Omegle online messaging platform has stood out for exposing young teens to pornographic content and child abuse.
Omegle was unable to protect its young users. American online messaging is at the center of all conversations and, above all, on the lips of many parents. On April 21, Kool Mag magazine revealed the presence of child offenders at the site, which is very popular with young teens. Revelations that caused general outrage, both among the public and by the government, which announced that it would take legal action.
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When visiting the platform, young people are exposed to pornographic content, masturbation and exhibitionist behavior or even incitement to exchanges or sexual acts. Currently, if exposed to this type of behavior, the victim can go directly to court, along with their guardians. All you have to do is report the facts to the appropriate authorities and Omegle will be responsible for verifying what has happened as the social network is supposed to keep all the data for one year. However, if the procedure seems simple and is firmly framed by justice, filing complaints is still uncommon. e-Enfance, an association for the protection of children on the Internet, finds it difficult to find any young people who have not yet been contacted by Omegle events.
However, on social media, teenagers are almost unanimous: it is very common to encounter inappropriate behavior on the American platform. Me Murielle Cahen, a specialist in digital and communications law, warns that if some believe their child has been exposed to disturbing content, there are other possible remedies: report the content to Pharos, call 3018 or consult jeprotegemonenfant.gouv. Fr. And most importantly, the lawyer recommends “to initiate communication“and to do”exonerate” the kid.
An obsolete policy of moderation
In the coming months, the Omegle administration will have to take further action, believes Me Merav Griguer, a lawyer specializing in digital law. According to her, the platformhe will not wait for the outcome of the trial but will work on an immediate regularizationThis will include the implementation of a system of moderation and protection for minors. Because at the moment, age controls are rudimentary, even non-existent. When you get to the home page, just check one to certify that you are over 13 years old.
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The lawyer considers Omegle to be “extremely latein terms of best practices on the Internet. “Other platforms may not have done enough, but they have a number of provisions“He explains that practices are changing.”even if the road is still long“Murielle Cahen also believes that American messaging could be considered several moderation tools, increasingly used by social media. Among them, tracking content posted online or even a reporting system, which would be accessible and visible to users, allowing them to disclose illegal data.
Sanctions incurred
Laws are categorical on the protection of minors on the Internet, which, unlike those over the age of 18, oblige platforms to a performance obligation. People who “make sexual proposals“WHO”manufacture, transport, distribute»Pornographic content aimed at minors incurs a sentence of three years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros. Like the content editor. In certain cases and when the minor is under the age of 15, the sentences can be increased to ten years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros.
Substantial sums which, in themselves, entail a severe punitive sanction. Especially because they are multiplied by the number of crimes, and that “every message is an offenseexplains Me Merav Griguer. “So we have strong protectionshe concludes. “the legal framework is very clear when it comes to minors“.
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For his part, Samuel Comblez refuses to wait for legal action, the outcome of which, although necessary, may take months. Psychologist and director of operations e-Enfance / 30-18, prevention is, according to him, one of the best weapons to curb the phenomenon.we need to warn parents, remember this site is not for young peoplehe says. Vanessa Lalo, a psychologist specializing in digital practice, also believes that parents have a role to play and believes that they need to be more involved. “It is an educational topic, it is essential to know what content their preadolescents have in their hands, what behaviors they adopt.she is alarmed.