Ostracised and bullied in school, 11-year-old Jane (not her real name) sought refuge in an online karaoke app where she posted videos of herself singing the latest tunes.
She felt validated by the praise she received and was happy she could make friends.
Things took a sinister turn in 2021, when some of the people she was chatting with on the app made lewd comments about her body and asked her to send nude pictures of herself.
Eager to please them, the Primary 5 pupil complied and even met them in places like public carparks.
Some were men in their 30s, who molested her.
Jane's mother found out what had happened only when she saw a nude photo of her daughter that had been leaked on social media, and made a police report. Jane's case was subsequently referred to the Ministry of Social and Family Development's Child Protective Service.
Four lawyers and three counsellors told The Sunday Times they have seen more cases of teenagers under the age of 18 being sexually exploited by people they befriended online.
Mr Raphael Louis from Ray Louis Law Corporation said he has seen an estimated 30 to 40 per cent rise in such cases over the last five years, with victims as young as 10 years old.
He said: "These cases broadly fall into two categories. First, those involving victims looking for love or attention online who fall prey to the manipulation of predators lurking on social media and dating apps.
"Second, teens who offer sexual or companionship services, or accept such offers by people they befriend online, in order to make money."
COURT CASES
At least three perpetrators were prosecuted earlier in January for sexual penetration of a minor under the age of 16. All three met their victims on social media or dating platforms.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 28, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 28, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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