Facebook and TikTok accused of aiding child recruitment

Human Rights Watch has reported that two platforms, Facebook and TikTok, failed to prevent the spread of content by armed groups in Colombia that promote the recruitment of children. These groups used social media to portray a lifestyle that encourages children to join, sharing misleading job offers and posting images of children recruiting, fighting, and using weapons. Since 2021, approximately 1,500 children have been recruited, with children being widely used in combat and information gathering. Indigenous people account for about 4% of the recruits, and one-third of the recruits are girls, who are at risk of sexual violence. Dissident groups from the FARC have been responsible for 74% of documented recruitment cases. Despite Facebook and TikTok removing content, these groups continue to promote a lifestyle that fosters violence and crime.

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