Female student in distress after personal photos suddenly appear on pornographic website.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - A 19-year-old female student surnamed Liang in China is in crisis after a selfie she took while crying was stolen and used illegally on numerous pornographic websites.

Liang is a freshman at a university in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. Two years ago, while reading a novel, she was so moved that she burst into tears and took a picture of the moment, then posted it on social media.

However, since then, the photo has been used illegally by many pornographic websites. Liang said she only discovered this when her friends informed her. Recently, she also found that her photo was repeatedly used to advertise some "sensitive" products on social media.

She filed complaints on several platforms, but only a few of the parties involved removed the posted content for violating community standards. Many others continued to openly use her image for advertising. Feeling utterly helpless after a period of severe mental distress, Liang reported the matter to the police for assistance.

“I don’t understand why such an ordinary photo would be used to advertise sensitive products. Although most people around me sympathize with me about this, I’ve also heard some people whispering behind my back. Some strangers have even recognized me as the person whose photo was used to advertise those sensitive products,” Liang shared.

Liang said she felt helpless, not knowing how to request the removal of her image that was being used without her permission.

"I have a clean and wholesome lifestyle. In the photo that was used illegally, I wasn't wearing revealing clothes or making suggestive gestures. I don't understand what I did wrong to get into such trouble," Liang confided.

Liang also called on social media platforms to improve their violation reporting systems, as she believes it is currently difficult for victims to take effective actions to protect their rights on social media.

"When I discovered that my photos had been stolen and used illegally, I submitted numerous complaints with full supporting documentation, but most of the complaints on social media platforms yielded no results," Liang added.

Lawyer Chen Pingfan, from the Furong Law Office in Hunan Province, shared with Chinese media that Liang's case illustrates the helplessness of victims in the digital age, where their personal image and honor are violated, but they cannot find a way to definitively and thoroughly resolve the issue.

Parents need to teach their children how to use social media wisely and responsibly.

In today's digital age, parents need to support and guide their children in using social media safely. While social media offers many benefits, it also harbors numerous risks that children need to be warned about. Children don't always make the right choices when sharing content online, which can lead to many negative consequences.

Keeping oneself safe online is a skill parents need to teach their children (Illustrative image: iStock).

First and foremost, parents need to recognize the benefits of social media, such as providing children with more ways to connect with friends and family, and interact with more diverse groups of peers. Children can also find useful information about extracurricular activities, develop their creativity through sharing ideas, and connect with people who share similar interests.

Communication with teachers and classmates is also quicker and easier. Children can find a lot of useful scientific information and stay updated on current events from official sources...

However, parents also need to help children understand the downsides of using social media. For example, children may be subjected to cyberbullying, have their privacy and safety violated, have their personal image negatively affected in unwanted ways, and experience negative impacts on their mental health due to issues arising on social media.

The study also showed that excessive use of social media can lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders.

Furthermore, when online, children may inadvertently come into contact with content that is inappropriate for their age. They may spend too much time on social media, affecting their academic performance, quality of life, and real-life relationships.

Social media offers many benefits, but also harbors numerous risks (Illustrative image: iStock).

So what should parents do? First, parents need to be concerned about their children's online activities, but avoid monitoring them too closely, which can make children feel suffocated. Show respect for their privacy, but also explain to your children that your concern is necessary to ensure their safety.

Parents should guide children on basic principles when using social media, such as always interacting respectfully and politely; thinking carefully before posting content online; and applying the principle of asking themselves: What will my family, teachers, and friends think when I post this content?

Parents also need to help children use account privacy settings and account security skills, instructing them not to share passwords, even with close friends. Furthermore, parents should tell children not to befriend strangers; the clear rule is: if there's no connection, don't befriend them.

Ultimately, parents need to work with their children to establish rules for social media use within the family. For example, no phones during meals, no phones in the hour before bedtime, etc.

Each child uses social media differently, depending on their level of maturity, personality, and mental state. Parents should adjust their approach to suit each child. Understanding how your child uses social media is crucial. Finally, remember: Your own online behavior and social media use will serve as a role model for your children.

According to SCMP/Kid's Health

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nu-sinh-khung-hoang-vi-anh-ca-nhan-bong-nhien-len-web-khieu-dam-20250603121313120.htm