internet dangers children exposed to sexual exploitation through apps

LRT.lt

Children are being coerced into undressing on camera and exposed to sexualised content through mobile apps, a cybersecurity expert has warned.

Speaking at a conference in the Seimas, Rugilė Butkevičiūtė, co-founder of the cybersecurity platform Ribologija, said Lithuania lacks adequate terminology to discuss online sexual violence.

“We still hear inappropriate terms being used and do not fully understand what they mean,” she said. “If we have a dictionary and can talk about these issues, then we can communicate about them.”

Butkevičiūtė highlighted that perpetrators increasingly use coded images—such as baby bottles or school backpacks—to signal their intent to exploit children. She also pointed to apps that digitally undress people in photos, putting both children and adults at risk.

She emphasised that online sexual violence stems not from technology itself, but from individuals who exploit it. “This is not about the internet—it’s about the people using it.”

The expert noted that online misogynistic communities, including incel forums and followers of influencer Andrew Tate, contribute to a culture that normalises sexual violence against women and girls. These groups often target vulnerable young men, blaming women for their personal and social frustrations.

Butkevičiūtė also criticised “traditional wife” movements that promote gender inequality, warning that such narratives are spreading among youth online.

“We think young people are moving forward, but in some ways, they’re moving backward,” she said. “This is driven by influencers who target youth on the internet.”

She called for better education and terminology to help parents, educators and law enforcement recognise and respond to online sexual exploitation.

Tags: Lithuania, online safety, child exploitation, cybersecurity, social media