How do traffickers use the internet in relation to sex trafficking?

Traffickers utilize the internet as a powerful tool to recruit and entice victims for sex trafficking. This method allows them to reach a broader audience and identify potential victims who may be vulnerable. Online platforms, including social media, dating apps, and various websites, provide anonymity and the ability to engage with individuals in a way that may not be immediately recognizable as a threat. Traffickers often create fake profiles or use manipulative tactics to build trust with their victims, offering false promises of love, financial support, or a better life, which can make their approach extremely persuasive and difficult for vulnerable individuals to resist.

This digital recruitment strategy is effective as it allows traffickers to operate with reduced risk of detection compared to traditional means. By leveraging technology, they can more easily identify and manipulate those who are at-risk, making the internet a significant factor in the operations of sex trafficking.