Ofcom has published findings from a new global research report into online child abuse and exploitation. The research was carried out by Protect Children, a leading NGO in advocating for the right of the child to be free from sexual violence.

Protect Children’s findings offer a rare and direct insight into CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) perpetrator behaviour, attitudes, and the use of technology in their offending. Key findings from the report include:

• Early exposure to pornography and CSAM content is a major risk factor;
• Perpetrators access CSAM across multiple online environments;
• Design features shape offenders’ platform choices;
• Barriers to AI-generated CSAM are low; and
• Well-designed deterrence messages can reduce engagement with CSAM.