Cyber protection for children has become a pressing concern as online threats such as cyberstalking and sextortion continue to rise. Experts warn that children are particularly vulnerable due to their increased internet use, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on the issue, cybersecurity expert Adelaide Prempeh stated that children are operating under the threat of the online space. She mentioned that this was exacerbated by COVID. “During COVID, we all had to be tech-savvy, especially our children, because they needed to go to school,” she explained.
What is Sextortion?
Prempeh explained that sextortion is a form of “terrorism against children” and occurs when perpetrators threaten to distribute sexually explicit images of minors unless demands are met. She noted that this form of extortion is normally initiated by a connection.
She elaborated on how online predators gain access to children, saying, “As we all know, when we have social media platforms, one will receive a friend request. You and I may be cynical and think, who’s this person? But children are more impressionable. They are that age where, should I say, hormones are raging.”
The Dangers of Sextortion and Cyber Grooming
Shedding more light on the dangers of cyber grooming and sexting, Nelson Herald Darko, senior manager of the child online protection department of the CSA. He described them as two common ways children fall victim to sextortion. Explaining cyber grooming, Darko highlighted that perpetrators often create fake accounts using attractive images to lure children. “There’s an old man sitting somewhere. This old man can be a relative, can be a community member, or can be a family member, or sit behind a computer, create a fake account, and use an attractive picture that will attract these children for interaction.”
He described how these predators manipulate children and solicit naked pictures and videos, and afterward, they blackmail the parents. This is because the children don’t have enough to pay them.
Sexting, another avenue for sextortion, occurs when children take and share sexually explicit images of themselves.
The Rising Cases of Sextortion
The issue of sextortion among young people is more widespread than official statistics suggest. The Cyber Security Authority reported 365 cases of sextortion in 2024.
Herald referenced an international organization that tracks online crimes against children. “In 2020, they said that 13,000 sexual images of children and young people were accessed in Ghana. In 2022, it increased to 19,733. In 2022, it moved to 21,909. That is where we are right now,” he lamented. Adelaide emphasized that this problem persists partly due to a culture of silence in Ghana.
Legal Protections Against Cyber Crimes
The Cybersecurity Act of 2020 (Act 1038) provides legal protections against cyber crimes, including sextortion and cyberstalking. The law criminalizes these offenses and imposes strict penalties on perpetrators.
Prempeh explained that predators gather information through social media posts. “Facebook, you post things. They know exactly where you are, where you live, where you go to school, [and] all that stuff. And it is basically geared towards finding out as much information as possible.”
According to the law, individuals found guilty of cyberstalking or sextortion face severe penalties, including a conviction with a term of imprisonment of not less than five years [and] no more than 15.
The Way Forward: Parental Guidance and Awareness
Experts strongly advise parents to be more involved in their children’s online activities. Darko warned that West Africa is becoming a training ground for cyber predators. He warned of young children as early as 13 years old being trained for sexual assault tactics in parts of West Africa. They mentioned Ghana, they mentioned Cote d’Ivoire, and they mentioned Nigeria.”
He advised, “Normally I advise parents that if you want to buy a computer device for your child, you place it in a hall where you can easily monitor the supervisor.”
Prempeh urged parents to maintain open communication with their children. “Your children have done nothing wrong. It is not a crime. They have not committed a crime. Talk to your children more. Help them out,” she advised.
Cyber protection for children is no longer optional—it is a necessity. Sextortion, cyber grooming, and cyberstalking pose serious threats to young people. Parents, educators, and lawmakers must work together to protect children online. Increased awareness, strict legal measures, and open family discussions can help prevent these crimes and ensure a safer digital environment for children.
