“Parents are using mobile phones as a babysitting device, so children at a very young age are exposed to social media and materials they should not see,” Mr Bjorkqvist told The Phuket News.
“During COVID-19, online sexual exploitation of children increased by 40% and remains high, leaving children vulnerable to grooming, sexual extortion and exploitation through live streaming.”
Mr Bjorkqvist said that victims of online exploitation often suffer deeper, longer-lasting trauma than those abused in person, as the evidence can be shared indefinitely.
“Suicide risk among online exploitation victims is 10% higher because their images and videos may be shared for years without their control, a feeling of endless victimisation‒ because each viewing is experienced as a new assault,” he warned.
He called on schools to make online threat awareness training compulsory and to adopt robust child protection policies ‒ and for parents to ensure schools follow through.
Mr Bjorkqvist stressed that the fight against online abuse must start in schools, with awareness training on the dangers of the internet made compulsory and proper child protection policies implemented. Parents, he added, have a duty to check that these policies are in place ‒ and to hold schools accountable if they are not.
“Children nowadays are looking for acceptance and love online instead of from their parents,” he said. “This needs to change ‒ spend time with your children, teach them values and show them love and acceptance.”
SHARP RISE
Levi Khaewprakan, FFI’s Social Department & Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Manager, confirmed that online crimes against children have increased sharply, with predators luring victims into sharing intimate images, selling explicit clips or engaging in sexualised role-playing through games.
Levi said that statistics from the Internet Foundation for the Development of Thailand in 2022, which surveyed 31,965 children aged 9-18 from 77 provinces, showed that 42% of children would share photos if asked online because they thought their faces were hidden. In Phuket, current figures show that there are 4-5 active cases involving boys, and 58% of victims were coerced into sharing existing photos, with the victims aged 8-14.
“Luring children to send obscene images, creating and sharing intimate content, and selling explicit clips are all increasing,” Mr Levi said. “The higher rate this year is primarily online crimes.”
Children, he noted, often believe image-sharing is harmless and private. “Sometimes, sharing photos may not be physically abusive, but once leaked online, they leave a psychological scar and a permanent digital footprint.”
Mr Levi also raised concerns about the differences between licensed and unregulated schools, noting that both migrant learning centres and unregistered international schools need oversight to ensure children receive safe, structured education.
Mr Levi also warned that parents wrongly assume children are safer indoors. “We’ve seen cases where children sent obscene content while their parents were in the same room, unaware of the danger,” he said.
Over the past five years, FFI has reached more than 18,000 children, visiting 35 schools in the last year alone. Their outreach shows many children struggle to distinguish reality from virtual gaming worlds ‒ including violent and sexualised role-play.
“Last Friday, I visited School in Phuket,” he said. “The majority of students played games where they acted as assassins, undressed and took photos. They can’t distinguish between the real and virtual world.”
Parents, Mr Levi stressed, often underestimate the risks. “Many believe children are safer at home than outside, but they’re unaware of the threats online. We’ve had cases where children sent obscene content while their parents were present, not realising what was happening right beside them.”
FFI supports victims through hotlines, psychological care and coordination with police, prosecutors and judges. “Even though the environment changes, the scar in the heart of the children is clear,” Levi said. “We want them to know they are not alone.”
PLATFORMS
Narupol Nakwatchara, Head of Data Analysis at FFI, said most exploitation cases now happen on platforms like Discord, which is popular among children for communicating with others over online games. Discord, like other gaming communication platforms, allows livestreams and self-recordings, giving predators easy access.
“Most cases involve ignorance and misunderstanding… leading to victimisation,” Mr Narupol said. “Some victims share images within 15 minutes of chatting to a stranger.”
One particularly troubling case in Thalang involved a fifth-grade student acting as a middleman in sexual exploitation due to financial pressure at home. The case underlined how family circumstances can push children into roles they would not otherwise choose.
He lamented the lack of independent media coverage of these dangers, calling for greater collaboration between schools, parent groups, youth organisations, and the press to spread prevention messages.
SAFE FUTURES
Beyond prevention, FFI runs a residential home and vocational training programme for children at risk. Overseen by Viyada Bjorkqvist, the centre houses seven to eight children at a time, offering both practical skills and academic education.
Children typically stay for eight to 10 months, though some remain for up to two years if their home environments remain unsafe. “For those over 18, we help them find employment in Phuket,” Viyada said. “Those under 18 continue to receive care, psychological support, behavioural adjustment and life skills training.”
The programme now combines vocational courses with formal education, such as English and preparation for vocational school entrance exams. “Some children have been sold by their families,” Ms Viyada said. “If they return, they may not be safe. We keep in touch with them through LINE to monitor progress and make sure they are building a better future.”
Domestic violence, she emphasised, is one of the biggest risk factors. “If the family is in conflict, it’s easy for parents to exploit their children, which can lead to involvement in drugs or other illegal activities. That’s why a stable, safe family environment is so important.”
TRAFFICKING TRENDS
Communication and Development Associate Jariya Kaoropwongchai highlighted the wider trafficking problem. In 2024 alone, Thailand recorded 379 human trafficking cases involving 517 victims ‒ 294 of them children. More than half were boys, and most cases occurred online.
The number of victims has risen steadily from 319 in 2021. Last year saw 227 cases of online sexual exploitation, alongside 115 other sexual exploitation cases.
FFI works closely with national law enforcement and social services, building child-friendly interview rooms in Phuket, Krabi, Songkhla and Bangkok to help secure justice. The foundation also provides long-term vocational training in baking, salon work, English and life skills, as well as internships for older teens.
“Children spend their free time communicating through apps and games, which makes them more vulnerable to deception,” Jariya said. “When parents are busy and hand over their phones, it’s like giving a criminal direct access to them.”
Prevention remains at the heart of FFI’s mission. Over the past year, the organisation has provided education to more than 18,000 students, parents, and teachers in Phuket and neighbouring provinces, focusing on how to recognise and resist online manipulation.
“Preventing overindulgence in online media is difficult, especially when parents feel they have no choice but to hand over phones while they work,” Jariya said. “That’s why community education is so important. We have to make sure children understand the risks ‒ and that parents know how to guide them.”
For children, parents, or educators seeking help, assistance is available through several channels. The OSCC Government Hotline 1300, Childline Thailand Foundation at 1387, while the CAC provides support at 1599.
The FFI Foundation also offers guidance and resources through their Facebook page. These hotlines and platforms provide psychological support, guidance on handling cases of exploitation, and a safe space to report concerns.