Child sexual abuse online is a devastating global health crisis that has grown exponentially over the last decade. Thorn, a nonprofit focused on combating this crisis, reveals that the number of reported child sexual abuse files in the U.S. alone surged from 450,000 in 2004 to more than 90 million by 2022. This alarming increase highlights the urgency to address the pervasive and harmful impact of online predators, which will affect nearly 70% of youth by the time they finish high school. The need for robust technological interventions and awareness is more critical than ever to safeguard children in the digital age.

We invited Julie Cordua, CEO of Thorn, to discuss the nonprofit’s innovative approach, which combines technology and social research to create solutions that help detect and mitigate online child abuse. Julie emphasizes the importance of collaboration with tech platforms and the critical role of parental guidance in fostering safe online environments for children. Her insights shed light on the multifaceted efforts required by companies and parents to tackle this issue.