Have you ever tried searching for a simple recipe on Facebook only to be met with an alarming warning? If you’ve recently typed “chicken soup” into Facebook’s search bar, you might have been shocked to see a serious warning about child sexual abuse pop up. I was completely blindsided when this happened to me last week while looking for my grandma’s chicken soup recipe that someone shared in a cooking group.
This bizarre connection between a comforting food and something so disturbing has left many users confused and concerned Let’s dive into why this innocent phrase has become associated with something so sinister,
What Happens When You Search “Chicken Soup” on Facebook?
When you type “chicken soup” into the Facebook search bar, instead of getting heartwarming recipes or comfort food groups, you’re greeted with a warning notification that reads:
“Child sexual abuse is illegal. 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”
The message continues to explain that child sexual exploitation causes extreme harm to children, and that searching for and viewing such material adds to that harm. It also mentions that there are organizations available to provide help and support.
Many Facebook users have expressed their confusion and concern about this strange connection. As one person wrote on Twitter: “How the hell does searching ‘chicken soup’ cause this to come up?” Another user commented: “Weird. If you put ‘chicken soup’ into the Facebook search engine, this comes up. What on earth is that about?”
The Disturbing Truth Behind the “Chicken Soup” Code
Unfortunately, the reason behind this warning is deeply troubling. The seemingly innocent phrase “chicken soup” has been co-opted as a code word by distributors of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on social media platforms.
Here’s why:
- The Spanish translation of “chicken soup” is “caldo de pollo”
- The initials “CP” are also a common abbreviation for “child p*rnography”
- Predators use this code to evade detection tools on social media platforms
According to NBC News, predators and distributors of illegal content use generic terms with the initials “CP” and codes like “caldo de pollo” to share and request links to child abuse images and videos without triggering content moderation systems.
This coded language allows them to communicate about illegal content while avoiding detection. By using everyday terms like “chicken soup,” they can dodge automated content filters that might flag more explicit terminology.
A Real-World Example of the Code in Action
A concrete example of this code being used was reported in July 2023 when a man was detained at the Veterans International Bridge near Brownsville, Texas. According to Valley Central News, the individual was caught with child pornography on his phone.
During his interview with authorities, agents found a message on Telegram that read “Tienes CP?” which translates to “Do you have CP?” When questioned, the man told agents that “CP” stood for “caldo de pollo” (chicken soup in Spanish). He admitted to knowing that “caldo de pollo” was code for child pornography, though he denied knowing that such material was on his phone.
This real-world case demonstrates exactly how this code is being used by those trafficking in illegal content.
Facebook’s Response and Policies
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has strict policies against content or activity that sexually exploits or endangers children. When the platform became aware that “chicken soup” was being used as a code phrase, they implemented the warning system to alert users and prevent the spread of illegal content.
According to Meta’s policy:
- Any content that “threatens, depicts, praises, supports, provides instructions for, makes statements of intent, admits participation in or shares links” of the sexual exploitation of children is prohibited
- When they become aware of apparent child exploitation, they report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
- Content that violates these terms will be removed, and further consequences could include disabling or terminating the account
While some users might find it frustrating to receive a warning when innocently searching for recipes, this measure helps protect children by making it harder for predators to use the platform for harmful purposes.
How Code Words Help Exploiters Evade Detection
The use of innocuous phrases like “chicken soup” as code words is a deliberate strategy to evade content moderation systems. Social media platforms use a variety of tools to detect and remove child exploitation material, including:
- Image recognition technology
- Text filters for explicit terminology
- User reporting systems
- Human content moderators
However, these systems struggle to identify content when users communicate using coded language that appears innocent on the surface. When predators use phrases like “chicken soup” or “caldo de pollo,” detection tools may miss these communications entirely.
This problem isn’t limited to Facebook. According to reporting from NBC and other sources, similar coded language is used across multiple platforms, including Instagram, Twitter (now X), Telegram, and WhatsApp.
The Broader Issue of Online Child Exploitation
The “chicken soup” code word is just one example of a much larger problem. Online child exploitation has been a growing concern, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was a surge in this type of illegal content.
Child sexual abuse material is shared through various channels:
- Social media platforms
- Private messaging apps
- File-sharing websites
- Dark web forums
The people fighting against this type of content face several challenges:
- Constantly evolving code words and tactics
- Encryption and anonymity tools
- Cross-platform distribution networks
- International jurisdictional issues
Organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children work alongside law enforcement and technology companies to identify and remove this content, but it remains an ongoing battle.
What Can Users Do?
If you encounter suspicious content or conversations that may be related to child exploitation, here are some steps you can take:
- Report the content to the platform immediately
- Don’t share or forward the content, even with good intentions
- If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement
- For non-emergency situations in the US, you can report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at CyberTipline.org
For those who accidentally trigger these warnings while making innocent searches, don’t worry – you’re not in trouble. The warning is an automated response to the search term, not to your personal activity or history.
Why Code Words Like “Chicken Soup” Matter
The fact that predators have co-opted innocent phrases makes the job of protecting children online significantly more difficult. When everyday terms become code for illegal activity, it creates a situation where:
- Platforms must balance preventing harm with avoiding false positives
- Users may unwittingly use terminology associated with illegal activity
- Detection systems must constantly be updated with new code words
- The line between innocent communication and harmful content becomes blurred
This is why Facebook and other platforms are increasingly transparent about these warnings – to educate users about the misuse of certain phrases while attempting to disrupt networks of exploitation.
Beyond “Chicken Soup”: Other Coded Language
While “chicken soup” or “caldo de pollo” is one example that’s gained attention, predators use many other code words and phrases. I won’t list them here to avoid providing a roadmap for bad actors, but it’s important to know that:
- Common food items are often used as code words
- Seemingly innocent hobbies or activities may be repurposed as coded language
- Abbreviations and acronyms frequently appear in these coded communications
- The codes evolve rapidly as platforms identify and block known terms
Social media companies employ teams dedicated to identifying new code words and patterns to stay ahead of those seeking to exploit their platforms.
The Impact on Legitimate Searches
One unfortunate side effect of this situation is that innocent users searching for actual chicken soup recipes or discussions get caught in these warning systems. This leads to:
- Confusion and concern from users
- Potential stigma around innocent search terms
- Hesitation to search for certain topics
- Discussions about food and recipes being flagged unnecessarily
Despite these inconveniences, most users understand that protecting children from exploitation is worth the occasional false positive in search results.
Facebook’s Broader Moderation Approach
It’s worth noting that Facebook’s approach to the “chicken soup” issue reflects their broader content moderation strategy. Meta has implemented various measures to combat harmful content:
- AI-powered detection systems
- Human review teams
- User reporting tools
- Partnership with law enforcement and non-profit organizations
- Educational warnings like the one triggered by “chicken soup” searches
While no moderation system is perfect, these layers of protection help reduce the spread of exploitative content on the platform.
The connection between “chicken soup” and child abuse warnings on Facebook stems from predators using “caldo de pollo” (the Spanish translation) as a code phrase for child pornography, taking advantage of the shared “CP” initials. This coded language helps them evade detection while communicating about illegal content.
Facebook’s warning system, while potentially jarring to innocent users, represents an important effort to disrupt these networks and protect children from exploitation. While it might seem strange to see a warning about child abuse when searching for comfort food recipes, understanding the reason behind it helps us appreciate the complex challenges involved in keeping social media platforms safe.
If you encounter this warning during an innocent search, there’s no need to worry – but it serves as an important reminder of the ongoing efforts to make the internet safer for children and the challenges faced by those working to prevent exploitation.
How can a sense of body autonomy help prevent child sexual abuse?
Children and teens who feel in control of their bodies are less likely to fall prey to sexual abusers. And if they do suffer abuse, they are more likely to tell a trusted adult—which can make all the difference in stopping the events and subsequently helping them recover from this painful experience.
What we teach our kids can reduce their risks for sexual abuse
Parents and child health experts are working together to find new ways of preventing childhood sexual abuse. One promising approach is teaching children about body autonomy, the idea that all people have the right to govern what happens to their own bodies.
I really need an explanation Facebook!?? What happened with chicken soup? #mystery #mysterious #huh
FAQ
Is a chicken soup search a child abuse warning?
A Chicken Soup’ search yields a child abuse warning explained. On Facebook, it has come to light that unsuspecting users who search for “chicken soup” are suddenly and distressingly presented with the warning, “Child s*xual abuse is illegal.”
Why does Facebook ‘chicken soup’ search trigger child abuse warning?
Facebook ‘chicken soup’ search triggers child abuse warning due to coded language used by exploiters to evade detection.
Why does ‘chicken soup’ come up on Facebook?
“Weird. If you put ‘chicken soup’ into the Facebook search engine, this comes up. What on earth is that about?” said another. The warning comes up because distributors of child sexual abuse images are using coded language to post such content on social media without getting caught.
Is ‘chicken soup’ illegal on Facebook?
If you search the phrase ‘chicken soup’ on Facebook, you receive a message that says: “Child sexual abuse is illegal.” “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,” it continues.
Why is ‘Chicken Soup’ a warning message on Facebook?
Facebook users have discovered that searching the phrase ‘chicken soup’ in the search bar results in a warning message about child abuse – but why? Meta has very strict rules on what can be posted and does not allow any content or activity that sexually exploits or endangers children on the social media platform.
Is ‘Chicken Soup’ on Facebook putting children at risk?
They have put in place rigorous standards that forbid any conduct or anything that can exploit or put children at risk on their site. In a recent discovery made by some Facebook users, an unusual phenomenon came to light when searching the seemingly innocuous phrase “chicken soup” in the platform’s search bar.