David Braga, CEO of International Justice Mission Australia, has raised alarms about the alarming issue of child sexual abuse being transmitted through popular social media platforms.

He reported that offenders are utilizing platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Facebook Messenger to organize and livestream child sexual abuse, highlighting Australia's significant consumption of this material.

Braga described livestreamed abuse as a growing concern, where children are coerced into sexual acts under the direction of offenders who pay to watch.

This serious issue was brought to the forefront during a parliamentary hearing in Australia, spurred by a viral TikTok video that has ignited discussions about social media's impact on youth.

The parliamentary committee, led by Newcastle Labor MP Sharon Claydon, is investigating various social media challenges, including age verification for children and the effects of algorithms on content visibility.

Katherine Berney, executive director of the National Women’s Safety Alliance, criticized the viral video during the hearing, calling for potential censorship or penalties for such misogynistic content.

Berney emphasized the necessity for a collaborative approach to address the challenges posed by social media, suggesting that platforms should take proactive measures to prevent the spread of harmful content.

She also pointed out that the notion of unrestricted freedom of speech in Australia is flawed, particularly when harmful content can reach millions without repercussions.

To combat these issues, Berney proposed that the government should offer 'social media self-defense' courses to help Australians better navigate online challenges.

The committee is expected to release a final report on its findings in November, which will likely address these pressing concerns.

Additionally, the discussion included a controversial video promoting the idea that men should date women who weigh less than 'two-thirds' of their body weight, suggesting a troubling narrative of physical dominance.