In the UK, a heated debate has been sparked following the murder of 16-year-old schoolgirl Brianna Gay, raising concerns about children’s access to the Darknet. The tragic incident, which took place last year, has brought to light the issue of child safety on the Internet and has garnered significant public attention.
Brianna was killed by two peers who had planned the event in advance. During their recent trial, it was revealed that one of the underage perpetrators had accessed the darknet prior to the crime, where he had been exposed to materials detailing real murders, torture, and other disturbing content not typically found on the surface web.
Despite the fact that the Darknet is already prohibited in the UK, Brianna’s mother, Esther Gay, criticized the current online safety laws and suggested banning the use of all social networks on smartphones for individuals under the age of 16. She argued that stronger measures are necessary to safeguard children online.
The head of the National Cybersecurity Center, Siaran Martin, stressed that addressing this issue cannot rely solely on technological solutions. He called for increased education on the dangers of the darknet for young people, both in school settings and within families, to protect the next generation and raise public awareness.
Martin also highlighted the strict regulations in place in the UK to combat the spread of harmful online content, including child pornography which is frequently distributed through the darknet. Recently, a British auto-mechanic was sentenced to 16 years in prison for managing a site that distributed such content.
Amid discussions surrounding the proposed “Online Safety Act” in the UK, there are mounting concerns that certain provisions may hinder the implementation of encryption in online communications. The government will face the dilemma of prioritizing the privacy and security of millions of citizens or protecting children from online threats.
Furthermore, authorities in the UK are alarmed by the increasing involvement of children in cybercrime. According to the National Crime Agency, one in five young people aged 10 to 16 exhibits criminal behavior related to computer misuse.
The agency is urging parents and educators to actively engage in educating young people about the risks of cybercrime and to steer their interest in technology towards productive pursuits.