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[FCE] Criminal gangs profiting as child sexual abuse websites double, experts say

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Recent figures from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) have highlighted a deeply concerning trend in online safety. According to their latest report, the number of commercial websites hosting illegal material involving the exploitation of children has more than doubled in just twelve months. While there were approximately 7,000 such sites in 2024, this figure surged to over 15,000 by 2025, representing a significant 114 percent increase.

One of the most alarming aspects of this rise is that these activities are no longer restricted to the hidden depths of the internet. Analysts point out that illegal content is now frequently found on mainstream social media platforms. The study suggests that current safety systems are failing, as users can often locate this material through a single search and a few simple clicks. This indicates that the monitoring technology used by major tech firms is currently inadequate for protecting the public.

The report also sheds light on the financial motivations behind these crimes. Organized gangs are operating business models similar to pyramid schemes, using affiliate links to generate profits through advertising and direct payments. Although some content is sold for as little as $12, more extreme material can reach prices of $120. Tracking these funds is particularly challenging for authorities because criminals primarily use cryptocurrency or digital payment links, which offer a high degree of anonymity and make the money trail hard to follow.

Furthermore, the issue of sextortion—where individuals are threatened with the release of private images—is becoming increasingly common among young people. The IWF report notes a 127 percent rise in such cases involving those under eighteen, with some victims being as young as seven years old. This suggests that even the youngest internet users are now at risk of being targeted by digital predators.

In response to these findings, child protection experts are demanding urgent reform. They argue that financial institutions need to take more responsibility for detecting and reporting suspicious transactions. Moreover, there is a call for social media companies to implement more effective safety tools. As these platforms are now an essential part of daily life, the report raises a critical question about whether enough is being done to protect the most vulnerable members of society from digital harm.

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1. What does the latest IWF report reveal about illegal websites compared to the previous year?

  • A. They have become much harder for the average user to find.
  • B. The number of these sites has increased by more than 100 percent.
  • C. The total number of sites has stayed around 7,000.
  • D. Most of them have moved from social media to the hidden internet.

2. According to the text, why are current safety systems on social media platforms criticized?

  • A. They require too many clicks to report illegal content.
  • B. They are only effective on private websites rather than public ones.
  • C. They fail to prevent illegal material from being easily accessible.
  • D. They charge users for access to safety monitoring tools.

3. What makes it difficult for the police to monitor the money earned by criminal gangs?

  • A. The payments are too small to be considered suspicious.
  • B. The use of affiliate links makes the transactions invisible.
  • C. The gangs use payment methods that are hard to trace.
  • D. Social media companies refuse to share financial data.

4. What is mentioned about the victims of sextortion?

  • A. The majority of victims are over the age of eighteen.
  • B. Victims are often forced to pay exactly $120 to criminals.
  • C. The age of those targeted can be surprisingly low.
  • D. Cases have doubled every year since the study began.

5. What action are experts calling for in the conclusion of the article?

  • A. A total ban on the use of cryptocurrency for online shopping.
  • B. The removal of children’s accounts from all social media platforms.
  • C. More involvement from banks in identifying questionable payments.
  • D. A reduction in the number of affiliate links used in advertising.