Representation of Journalistic Investigation into Sexual Exploitation on Social Media

Cyber sexual exploitation has emerged as a critical digital crime facilitated by anonymous platforms, yet structural media representations remain insufficiently examined. This study analyzes how the documentary Cyber Hell represents the mechanisms, actors, and cycle of cyber sexual exploitation, along with its broader social implications. Utilizing a qualitative visual and narrative analysis, this research examines 18 key scenes, two primary visual figures, and one exploitation cycle diagram. The analysis identifies six sequential stages of exploitation: social media contact, victim access, data theft, threats and extortion, sexual exploitation, and content distribution. Two major themes emerged: systematic digital control and investigative exposure. The findings portray exploitation as an organized, technology-facilitated, and coercive process, while highlighting investigative media as a critical tool for revealing hidden crimes. The documentary effectively visualizes complex digital violence, underscoring the urgent need for robust legal enforcement and media literacy. This study contributes empirical insights to communication scholarship and offers practical implications for policymakers, educators, and digital platforms to strengthen victim protection and enhance global awareness of technology-facilitated sexual violence.