Combating Online Trafficking and Protecting Minors : Leveraging a Moral Compass to Restore Dignity from Digital Shadows

This book examines the impact of modern technologies, from Artificial Intelligence to the Dark Web, that have revolutionized the recruitment and exploitation of vulnerable individuals, with particular focus on the protection of minors. Part I—'The digital frontier' maps the evolving landscape of online trafficking, exposing how social media and emerging tech are weaponized by criminal networks. Part II—'A dual response' provides a unique comparative analysis that bridges the gap between rigorous international legal frameworks and the moral imperatives of Catholic Social Teaching. Part III—'An architecture of care' moves beyond theory to offer concrete doctrinal, institutional, pastoral, and technical recommendations designed to dismantle the infrastructure of online exploitation. An incisive analysis is made possible by the researcher’s unique expertise in this critical field. It is the result of a singular professional trajectory, where experience accumulated at the Holy See and within major international fora has now borne fruit in this substantial monograph. By providing concrete measures to navigate the legal and ethical complexities of the digital age, this book serves as both an academic landmark and an operational framework for preventing and eradicating human trafficking online.