Searching for “chicken soup” on Facebook yields a rather disturbing result – a warning about child sexual abuse This has left many users confused and concerned So what’s the deal with chicken soup on Facebook?
The Warning Message
When you type “chicken soup” into the Facebook search bar, a notification pops up that says:
“We think your search might be associated with child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse, or viewing sexual images or videos of children, can lead to imprisonment and other severe personal consequences. Child sexual exploitation causes extreme harm to children.”
The message goes on to urge users to report any abusive or exploitative material and provides resources for those struggling with inappropriate thoughts about children.
Why Chicken Soup?
This seems very odd and random. Why would Facebook associate something as innocuous as chicken soup with child abuse?
Unfortunately, the term “chicken soup” is being used as a code by pedophiles and child porn distributors on the internet Specifically, they use the Spanish translation “caldo de pollo,” which shares the same initials (CP) as child pornography
By using seemingly innocent phrases like this, these abhorrent individuals are able to avoid detection and share illegal and exploitative content online. Facebook has clearly caught on to this disturbing trend and is now displaying the warning message when users search for “chicken soup” to deter and prevent access to such content.
The Disturbing Reality of Online Child Exploitation
The use of “chicken soup” as a code phrase shines a light on the disturbing reality of how prolific the distribution of child sexual abuse material is online.
According to the Internet Watch Foundation, child sexual abuse imagery online has reached crisis levels:
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In 2021, the IWF took action against 252,000 URLs containing criminal child sexual abuse imagery – more than double the number from 2020.
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The number of confirmed child sexual abuse images and videos has risen from 1 million in 2014 to 29.1 million in 2021 – a nearly 3000% increase in 7 years.
Offenders are constantly finding new ways to avoid detection, using coded language and sharing material on encrypted apps and private groups. Heartbreakingly, the victims of these images and videos suffer revictimization each time the content is viewed and shared.
Experts emphasize that successfully combating online child exploitation requires collaboration between social media companies, law enforcement, and child protection agencies across the globe. While Facebook’s warning message is a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done.
What to Do If You Come Across Abusive Content
If you search for an innocuous term and are instead confronted with child sexual abuse material, report it immediately. You can report directly to Facebook or the authorities.
Most importantly, do NOT share or distribute the content in any way, even if your intention is to raise awareness or get it taken down. Sharing perpetuates the harm done to victims.
Facebook provides this guidance in their warning message:
“If you come across content that exploits children, you should report it. Reporting content allows platforms like Facebook and Instagram to quickly review it for potential removal.”
You can also contact organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for assistance in making reports.
We all have a role to play in protecting children online and offline. Although the reasons behind the chicken soup warning are unsettling, they shed light on this crucial issue and the collective effort needed to create a safer digital world.
The Role of Health Misinformation in Search Limitations
A possible explanation for why you cannot search for chicken soup on Facebook is tied to health misinformation. During periods of global health crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, Facebook ramped up its efforts to filter out misleading health advice. While chicken soup is undoubtedly comforting, it is sometimes presented as a “miracle cure,” which might cause posts and searches related to it to be downranked or restricted in some cases.
Facebook’s health-related content policies mean the platform aggressively targets and moderates any term that could be linked to false health claims. Even though we know that chicken soup is no cure for viral infections, the combination of home remedies and health-related terms can sometimes trigger content filters.
Chicken Soup Facebook: FAQ
Yes, you can post chicken soup recipes on Facebook. However, certain health-related terms or claims might cause your post to be deprioritized or flagged. Focus on using neutral language and avoid associating your recipe with any specific health benefits to ensure visibility.
Predators and Chicken Soup on Facebook
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