What is child solicitation?

Child solicitation refers to the act of soliciting, luring, or enticing a child to engage in sexual activity or communicate sexually explicit material. This can occur online, in person, or through other means of communication. Child solicitation is illegal and is considered a form of child sexual exploitation.

Often, individuals who solicit children online may use social media platforms, online chat rooms, or messaging apps to contact and groom potential victims. They may manipulate or deceive children into believing they are engaging in a consensual relationship, only to exploit and harm them.

Child solicitation is a serious crime that can have severe consequences for offenders. In many jurisdictions, individuals convicted of child solicitation may face imprisonment, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Organizations and law enforcement agencies work to prevent and combat child solicitation by raising awareness, providing education, and conducting investigations to identify and apprehend offenders.