Social Networks and Human Trafficking

Abstract

One of the fastest growing crimes in the world is human trafficking. Many factors like social and economic factors are involved as the causes of human trafficking such as poverty, war, political conditions, social situations. Recently social networks have been used as a way to target the victims of human trafficking and the social media like Facebook and Instagram are widely used for this purpose. The victims include women, men, and children, and they are usually trapped in situations like getting offers of fake jobs though social media. The social and psychological impacts of human trafficking on victims are always devastating. The role of cyber world is very important in combating trafficking of human beings, and it requires collaborative efforts. The chapter will look into the definition, causes of human trafficking, impact of social networks in human trafficking, forensic investigation, psychological impacts on victims and mental health issues, social impacts on victims, prevention of human trafficking emphasizing the role of social media and cyber world, and management of victims.