Even the technology industry isn’t immune to slavery in its supply chains.

On average we check our smartphone every 12 minutes. Our addiction to smartphones has led to an increased demand for cobalt, an alloy used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Traffickers are meeting that demand by enslaving children as young as seven to mine cobalt. Every year thousands of young bodies are exposed to toxic dust and mining accidents as a result.

Most people don’t know if someone trapped in slavery helped make their smart phone.