More than half of Brazilian teenagers have already faced online sexual violence. Prevention begins with information, support, and a protection network.

Contemporary adolescence is marked by hyperconnectivity. Social networks, online games, messaging apps, and video platforms are part of everyday life and shape the way teenagers relate, learn, and build their identity. However, along with the opportunities, a serious and silent phenomenon is growing: online sexual violence.

In Brazil, the situation is alarming. A survey by ChildFund Brazil shows that 54% of teens have suffered some type of sexual violence on the internet, with or without direct interaction with an aggressor.

The survey also reveals another worrying fact: 94% of adolescents do not know how to report situations of online sexual violence, which contributes to underreporting and hinders effective protection measures. But how can this scenario be changed?

The scenario of online sexual violence

The survey Mapping the Vulnerability Factors of Brazilian Adolescents on the Internet heard from about 8,500 young people aged 13 to 18, with participation from all regions of the country, especially the Northeast and Southeast.

In addition to the high prevalence of violence, the study revealed structural factors that increase digital vulnerability, such as the fact that adolescents spend an average of four hours a day online. But that’s not all: most of this time online occurs on cell phones and outside the school environment.

Furthermore, 79% of leisure activities in this age group are digital. The survey also shows that the older the age, the greater the risk of exposure to digital violence.

This scenario reinforces that online sexual violence is not an isolated problem, but part of a profound transformation in the way adolescents spend their time, build relationships, and access information.

Another national survey also shows the extent of the problem: a study by the Federal Government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) found that 23% of children and adolescents suffered sexual violence online between 2022 and 2023, with a higher incidence among girls and a predominance of male perpetrators.

Why are teens more vulnerable?

Digital violence does not happen because of a single factor. It is the result of a combination of social behaviors, platform architecture, and gaps in institutional protection. The reasons include:

• Easy contact with strangers: direct messaging tools allow predators to initiate seemingly harmless conversations, evolving into emotional manipulation, grooming, or blackmail;
• Algorithms and early exposure: sexualized content, hate speech, and dangerous challenges can be delivered quickly, impacting self-esteem, risk perception, and behavior;
• Culture of social validation: the logic of likes, comments, and engagement creates pressure for exposure, often without assessing the consequences;
• Leaking and misuse of images: photos and videos can be manipulated, redistributed, or used for extortion, a phenomenon that is growing among teens;
• Low digital literacy: unable to identify risks or access reporting channels, many teens try to resolve situations on their own, simply blocking suspicious profiles.

How can this be prevented?

An important factor in changing this reality is to alter the way teens behave on the internet. To do this, digital literacy is needed, which is more than just technical knowledge of technology. It needs to include, for example:

• Ethical education in the digital environment;
• Identification of grooming strategies;
• Understanding privacy and security;
• Step-by-step instructions for reporting;
• Knowledge about digital rights.

It is worth noting that effective protection depends on a combination of knowledge, access to reporting channels, and rapid response from the social protection network. Therefore, adults must be attentive, listening actively and maintaining constant dialogue.

First, communication must be strengthened by creating an environment of trust. This increases the chances of adolescents reporting risky situations early on.

Another tip is to co-navigate. However, this does not mean surveillance. Rather, it means guiding and building autonomy safely. Adults should also be alert to warning signs, such as sudden changes in behavior, isolation, fear, shame, or a drop in self-esteem, for example.

In addition, it is the adult’s role to set healthy limits on internet use by children and adolescents. To do this, set schedules, encourage offline activities, and prioritize family and community life.

Finally, seek specialized support. Professionals such as psychologists, educators, and digital education specialists can support families and young people in risky situations.

Ramacrisna’s role in combating online sexual violence

At the Ramacrisna Institute, the protection of children and adolescents is treated as a priority. The institution offers shelter, qualified listening, and specialized referral for cases of suspected or confirmed sexual violence.

Among the actions developed is Se Cuida Jovem (Take Care, Young People), which offers psychological care to adolescents in the Apprenticeship project. In 2025 alone, the Institute provided 1,511 psychological consultations, 587 of which were for adolescents and young people from the Ramacrisna Apprentice and Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra projects.

Ensuring a connected and safe adolescence is not only a technological challenge, it is a social commitment to the present and future of new generations. Do your part. Contact us and learn how to support this and other initiatives.