Online CSEA
Project iGuardian® is presented by Homeland Security Investigations, the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. Project iGuardian is designed to inform children, teens, parents, educators, practitioners, social workers, law enforcement and other trusted adults about the risks that children face in the online environment, and to implement preventive strategies while learning how to report suspected abuse.
This engaging presentation covered tactics used by online predators, the growing crime
of sextortion, the information devices give away, and the newest apps, online games and
social networks children are using. There was example scenarios shared based on local
investigations that helped us to better understand how children are victimized online. Online CSEA is a horrific crime that targets some
of the most vulnerable people in our communities
— our children and teens. It includes a broad range
of criminal acts that involve the victimization of
a minor for sexual gratification or some other
personal or financial gain.
In the last decade, online CSEA has increased
exponentially and is now a global epidemic. In
2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children — the nation’s clearinghouse for child
sexual abuse material — received 36 million reports
of child sexual abuse material online, a drastic
increase from 2014, when it received 1 million
reports. The lack of understanding of online CSEA
and increased technology use among children and
teens has created space for these crimes to flourish.
For too long, our communities have been left on
their own when it comes to understanding the
online dangers that exist and how to prevent them.
Project iGuardian is the free of charge official in-person educational program for the Know2Protect Campaign. Created by Homeland Security Investigations subject matter experts, the presentation seeks to educate trusted adults about the ongoing threat of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, bring awareness to the issue with an effort to prevent these horrific crimes form continuing, and provide help and resources to those who need it.
November 12, 2025
Global
