Reports of illegal and harmful online content including child sex abuse up 32pc in past year
Members of the public can report suspected illegal and harmful online content – including CSAM, financial scams and racism – securely and anonymously to the organisation.
The IIH works closely with gardaí and as part of a global network of internet hotline providers that handle reports from multiple jurisdictions to tackle CSAM.
Chief executive Mick Moran said that while the figures revealed in its annual report may appear 'shocking or overwhelming', the rate of reports is also just 'an indication' of what exists online.
Reports of self-generated CSAM surged by 166pc last year. It has been identified as the fastest-growing form of CSAM online, accounting for more than 25pc of all related reports last year.
More than 90pc of victims depicted in this material were girls.
Misunderstanding this term can lead to victim-blaming, which is deeply harmful
The term 'self-generated', where a child appears to have taken the image or video themselves, is used by analysts to classify the origin of the material rather than the circumstances under which it was created.
'Misunderstanding this term can lead to victim-blaming, which is deeply harmful. Children who appear in such material are victims, regardless of how the content was created,' Mr Moran said.
Online forums were identified as the dominant distribution channel of the material, with the IHH annual report noting that the removal of content from such platforms is 'more complex and urgent' as a result.
Ireland continues to be among the lowest-ranking countries globally for the hosting of child sexual abuse material. The report also notes a 97pc removal rate for illegal content and a 99.6pc removal rate for cases of confirmed CSAM.
ADVERTISEMENT
The organisation has also identified a number of other online threats that are on the rise, including a 51pc increase in the number of financial scams that target Irish residents.
It identified 134 fraudulent websites last year, with 79pc of such websites being removed. However, the rates of racism and xenophobia online 'remain concerning', with 908 reports received last year.
In the report, to be launched today, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said there is a need to ensure 'we never become hardened to the reality of these figures'.
Mr Moran said the IIH is 'very proud to be part of the solution' to tackling the spread of harmful and illegal content online.
'There is no silver bullet, no panacea – just hard and sometimes gruelling work,' he said.
'I am proud of our small and growing team and the work we do, with partners, to make the internet a safer place for everyone, especially children.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
8 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Luxembourg axe star man Gerson Rodrigues after controversial appearance at home to Ireland
Their manager Luc Holtz had already paid the price for his role in the episode by being denied a contract extension. Ireland's friendly in Luxembourg in June was marked by protests from home supporters at the presence of Rodrigues in the side, their second home friendly of that June window. He had been convicted of a domestic abuse charge and was given an 18-month suspended sentence but politicians and women's rights groups there protested at the fact he was being selected. Irish fans in the stadium joined in the protests, with travelling supporters from Ireland displaying the red card and booing any time Rodrigues touched the ball. Long-serving coach Holtz had defended, before the game and in the aftermath, his call to select the player saying there was no legal block on his selection. Last month the Luxembourg FA decided, after a 'thorough analysis' of the matter, not to extend Holtz's contract when his current deal runs out in December, though they plan for him to be in charge for World Cup qualifiers, including a date with Northern Ireland. The FLF also apologised to a local journalist who had been barred from attending a press conference over his coverage of the affair. And now they have stated that Rodrigues – who has since moved to a club in Thailand – will not be selected for national team duty. They begin their World Cup campaign at home to Northern Ireland next month. 'The image of the Luxembourg football institution and all its members has been affected by the 'Gerson Rodrigues affair'. We would like to point out that the reputation of the Federation and its members is above any individuality and sporting considerations,' the FLF said. 'Despite the advice and recommendations that the Federation officials tried to give to the player concerned, he did not respond favourably. 'Consequently, the board of directors has decided that the aforementioned player is no longer eligible for selection until further notice for future international matches of the national team.'
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Funeral details announced for respected trade union representative who died in Waterford
Funeral details have been announced for a respected trade union representative and father of three in his 70s who died in hospital following an incident at a house in Waterford. Pat Fitzgerald, who was in his 70s, was found with injuries at a home in Waterford city on Friday. He was taken to University Hospital Waterford but died on Sunday. A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged. He appeared before Waterford District Court on Sunday. Mr Fitzgerald has been described as a "highly respected and astute" trade union leader. He had worked hard for his community, independent local councillor Donal Barry said. Originally a glass blower in Waterford Crystal, he became the full-time union convenor for the company's workforce of some 3,000 people. He was highly respected by everyone there – workers and management, Mr Barry, who worked with Mr Fitzgerald at Waterford Crystal, said. 'He was the best we ever had,' Mr Barry said. 'He was well-known and very highly thought of. 'People are shocked and saddened by the news.' Mr Fitzgerald fought for Waterford Crystal's workforce when the iconic Irish company went bankrupt during the financial crash. He was involved with the union Unite when workers occupied the Waterford city plant in 2009. The sit-in made international news and inspired a documentary. Mr Fitzgerald was late of St Catherine's Grange and Avondale in Waterford. The widower is predeceased by his wife Kathleen, his father Jack, brother Mark and nephew Luke. He is survived by his adult children Wayne, Joanne and Karl, his mother Maura, eight siblings, his four grandchildren, in-laws, extended family, neighbours and friends. Mr Fitzgerald will lie in repose at Tom Hennessy's Funeral Home in Johnstown, Waterford on Thursday from 5.30pm to 7pm. His funeral will take place at the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly in Waterford at noon on Friday with burial following in St Mary's Cemetery, Ballygunner, Waterford. The mass will be live-streamed.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
'19 years of happy memories' -Heartbroken mum pays tribute to ‘beautiful' son, 19, killed in Dublin collision
The young man's dad passed away a few years ago FINAL GOODBYE '19 years of happy memories' -Heartbroken mum pays tribute to 'beautiful' son, 19, killed in Dublin collision THE mother of a teenage cyclist who died in hospital following a collision has paid a heartbreaking tribute to the "beautiful" boy. The incident, which involved a car and a bicycle, happened on the R113, Fonthill Road South in Clondalkin shortly after 11:40pm on Sunday, July 27. The cyclist, a 19-year-old man, was raced to Beaumont Hospital in a critical condition. Gardai confirmed this morning that he was pronounced dead at the hospital yesterday August 4. The coroner has been notified and post-mortem examination will be carried out. The deceased has been named locally as Luke Bryne, 19, from Clondalkin. Tragically Luke's dad Shane passed away a number of years ago. In a heartbreaking post on social media his mother Martina McGarry wrote: "My beautiful son you're in peace now. "You put one of the hardest fights you gave me in 19 years of happy memories that I'll cherish forever. "You'll never be forgotten. You will always be in my heart. "I know you will be in heaven looking down on me. You're back home with you dad now gone but never forgotten. "Love you so much son. Sleep tight." 'WILL FOREVER BE MISSED' A family friend also wrote: "Beautiful boy will forever be missed such a gentleman he was. You were the best mother he could of asked for, you gave him the world rest in peace Luke. "Thinking of you and all your family at this heartbreaking time'." Gardai have renewed this appeal for witnesses to the crash to come forward. A Garda spokesperson said: "Road users who may have relevant camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda Station at 01 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." Luke is the 98th person to died on Irish roads this year, nine of whom have been cyclists. No funeral arrangements have been made as yet.
