Understanding Human Trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire Through Online Data Collection and Analysis

• In Event: Estimating and Understanding Child Trafficking in West Africa: Assessment Strategies and Methodological Challenges

Abstract

Digital technologies have expanded the reach of human trafficking, with traffickers increasingly using dating apps, social media, and online advertisements to lure, deceive, and recruit victims under the guise of legitimate income opportunities. This study employs web scraping to assess whether, and to what extent, websites facilitate child labor recruitment and trafficking in West Africa, most specifically Cote d’Ivoire. We found most recruitment occurs within private web-based chat groups, while classified ad websites may serve as covert trafficking hubs. The anonymity of these platforms allows traffickers to operate with impunity. This study provides crucial insights for combating online trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire. Key recommendations include regulating social media use for minors, integrating digital literacy education in schools, raising youth awareness about trafficking risks, and enhancing law enforcement training to detect and prevent online child exploitation.

Authors

• Claire Seungeun Lee, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Charles C. Hounmenou, University of Illinois Chicago

• Shanna Thompson, University of Massachusetts Lowell