Online exploitation is increasingly becoming a gateway to human trafficking, with children targeted through grooming, fake identities, and manipulation before abuse becomes visible, speakers at the SIGNIS World Congress 2026 said.
The issue was discussed during one of four parallel sessions at the congress, held Aug. 3-8 in Kigali, Rwanda. Experts from several fields called for a coordinated response to the challenges confronting children and young people in digital spaces.
The session stressed the need to move beyond responding to abuse after it occurs and focus on prevention, education, and responsible digital engagement.
Speakers said safeguarding children begins at home, but cannot be left to families alone. Educators, faith communities, governments, and technology companies share responsibility for creating environments where children can safely learn, communicate, and grow.
They identified digital literacy, the ethical use of technology, stronger online protections, and child-centered policies as essential to protecting young people.
The discussion also warned against relying on technology alone to address problems rooted in human behavior. Although artificial intelligence can provide useful tools, speakers said it cannot replace wisdom, empathy, and moral discernment.
Young people need formation that strengthens critical thinking, compassion, and respect for human dignity. Genuine relationships and responsible accompaniment remain central to that formation.
The session also challenged the Church to deepen its pastoral presence in digital spaces by accompanying young people where they are.
Digital platforms, the speakers said, should not be treated merely as communication channels but as spaces where faith, dialogue, and authentic human encounters can develop.
Protecting children in the digital age requires stronger families, compassionate communities, ethical leadership, and a shared commitment to uphold the dignity of every child.
The panelists were Sister Patience Shinondo, RSC, who spoke on “Protecting Children and Youth in the Digital Space: A Human Trafficking Perspective”; Sister Babitha Abraham Valiaparambil, FMM, who discussed “Empowering Children and Youth for Safe Digital Citizenship”; Father Lawrence Adu-Gyamfi, communications director and diocesan youth chaplain of the Catholic Diocese of Goaso in Ghana, who presented “Guarding the Flock in the Digital Age: Protecting Children and Youth in the Digital Space as a Condition for Cultural Harmony and Human Wellbeing”; and Prof. Jean-Paul Niyigena, coordinator of L’Institut Pacte Educatif Africain and consultant to the Dicastery for Culture and Education, who discussed “Pacte Educatif: Education à la paix dans un monde hypermédiatisé.”
SIGNIS, or the World Catholic Association for Communication, is recognized by the Vatican as an International Association of the Faithful with the mission to “help transform cultures in the light of the Gospel by promoting human dignity, justice, and reconciliation.”
It has consultative status with UNESCO, the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, in Geneva and New York, and the Council of Europe.
