Photo/Illutration The Japanese-language version of the Take It Down website. It says, “Having nudes online is scary, but there is hope to get it taken down.” (Provided by Meta)

A U.S. nonprofit organization introduced a Japanese-language version of its service aimed at helping to prevent selfies and videos of a sexual nature that children sent to predators from being uploaded on social networking sites.

Many children end up sending sexually explicit photos and videos at the request of people they become acquainted with on social media.

It is a growing problem in Japan and elsewhere.

Young people can file an application anonymously and free of charge on the Take It Down website, where the Japanese-language service became available in late May.

Applications can be made for nude or sexually explicit photos and videos they took of themselves before turning 18 years old.

The service was developed in February last year with financial assistance from Meta, operator of Facebook and Instagram, and is available in more than 30 languages.

The operator, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, said applications were made for 89,000 photos and videos worldwide in 2023.

When an application is made, image data is converted into a string of characters and shared by affiliated operators of social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Companies monitor their platforms and block photos and videos with the same character strings from being posted or remove them when possible.

A Meta representative said the platform operators are limited in their capabilities to remove photos and videos that are already posted and have spread on social media.

X, formerly known as Twitter, and the Line messaging app are not compatible with the service.

Applicants do not have to upload photos or videos, meaning that the materials will not be leaked during the application process.

National Police Agency statistics show that 1,444 children were victims in pornography cases in 2023, and 527, or nearly 40 percent, involved selfie photos and videos.

An online survey in January by the nonprofit ChildFund Japan found that 12.4 percent of about 1,700 respondents aged 15 to 24 received requests from people they became acquainted with online, such as sending sexually explicit selfies or meeting in person.

Only 4.7 percent of those youngsters said they consulted with someone.

“Many children are unable to tell even their parents, let alone the police, about these problems,” said Mizuki Kawamoto, a lawyer who supports victims of sexual violence.

“We’re up against the clock in the battle to prevent the spread of photos and videos online. It is a great advantage if children can file an application on their own without telling anyone.”

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