THE DARK WEB

Botswana is grappling with a disturbing surge in online child sexual exploitation, with authorities reporting a staggering average of 10 cases per day.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Goitseone Ngono sounded the alarm on this crisis during an International Women’s Day event organised by the Botswana Public Officers Employees Union (BOPEU).

In the past year alone, the police processed more than 1,074 reports of cyber and gender-based violence (GBV) involving children, highlighting the dark underside of the digital age in this southern African nation.

The rise in cyber-enabled crimes against children in Botswana is part of a wider global crisis.

Experts estimate that over 300 million children worldwide fall victim annually to technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse, with offenders exploiting the anonymity and reach of the internet to prey on the most vulnerable.

Botswana’s experience is a microcosm of this alarming trend, underscoring how increased internet access, while beneficial in many ways, has simultaneously exposed children to new forms of abuse and trauma.

Ngono emphasised that children are often targeted by online predators who masquerade as peers, wielding fake profiles to lure minors into sharing compromising images and personal information.

These predators exploit gaps in parental supervision, with many parents unwittingly enabling the abuse by handing over devices without adequate controls or guidance.

“We have replaced relating with our children by giving them gadgets that we do not have control over,” she lamented, drawing attention to a critical failure in parental engagement and digital safety education.

This problem is compounded by the lack of awareness about internet safety among both children and adults. Ngono called for urgent investment in education programmes focused on protecting minors online.

Children must be taught to recognise grooming behaviours and the dangers of sharing personal images, while parents and caregivers need tools and knowledge to monitor and manage their children’s digital lives more

effectively. Without such measures, the pipeline for exploitation remains wide open.

Botswana’s legal framework does include measures aimed at combating cybercrime and protecting children.

The Cybercrime and Computer Related Crimes Act, first enacted in 2007 and updated in subsequent years, criminalises a range of online offences, including possession and distribution of child pornography and online grooming.

More recently, the government passed the Cybersecurity Bill and the Digital Services Bill in 2025, aiming to strengthen digital protections and law enforcement capabilities in the face of evolving cyber threats.

Yet, enforcement remains a challenge. Cybercrime investigations require specialised skills and resources, and many cases go unreported due to stigma, fear, or lack of awareness.

The police have made strides in improving their cybercrime units, but the sheer volume of cases, up to 2,000 annual reports of child-related cyber GBV, stretches their capacity thin.

Moreover, many victims suffer long-term psychological harm, with trauma that extends beyond the digital realm into their daily lives and communities.

The role of parents and guardians cannot be overstated, Ngono said. Studies show that parental controls, digital tools that restrict access to inappropriate content and limit screen time, are effective in mitigating risks.

However, these tools must be paired with open communication and trust-building.

Experts advocate for a balanced approach where children feel safe discussing their online experiences without fear of punishment. Setting clear rules about online behaviour and friendships can create a safer digital environment.

According to Ngono, Botswana’s situation also reflects broader socio-economic challenges. Many families face poverty and limited access to quality education, which can hinder efforts to educate children and parents about online risks.

Additionally, she said the rapid growth of mobile internet in Botswana has outpaced the development of regulatory and protective measures, leaving gaps that predators exploit.

Addressing online child exploitation thus requires a multi-sectoral approach combining law enforcement, education, social services, and community engagement.

International cooperation is vital in this battle against online child sexual exploitation. Cyber predators often operate across borders, exploiting jurisdictional gaps and the global nature of the internet.

Botswana is part of a growing international network of law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and research institutions working to share intelligence, develop best practices, and coordinate operations to disrupt these networks.

Organisations like INTERPOL and UNICEF provide critical support in building local capacities and raising awareness.

The human toll of this crisis is profound. Children who fall victim to online exploitation often face isolation, shame, and mental health struggles. The damage is not just to individuals but to families and communities who must

grapple with the fallout.

As Ngono urged at the BOPEU event, women, many of whom are primary caregivers, must take leadership in protecting children and advocating for stronger safeguards.

Empowering women with resources and knowledge can create a frontline defence against this insidious crime.

Botswana's fight against online child sexual exploitation is a stark reminder that technology, while a powerful tool for progress, also carries grave risks.

The Senior Assistant Commissioner said the path forward requires urgent, coordinated action, strengthening laws, enhancing law enforcement capabilities, educating parents and children, and fostering international collaboration.