New technologies must stop child sex abuse, not facilitate it

This year's Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse is an opportunity for governments and international organisations to commit to using new technologies to stop these crimes.

Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and extended realities have created new means by which to exploit young people. Sexual assaults are being perpetrated in immersive reality environments, such as online games - and the sexual abuse of children is taking place 'on demand' and being streamed live via webcams.

"While perpetrators hide behind screens, children endure harm that scars a lifetime. It is time to fight back - using the same technology that is fuelling these crimes. AI has enormous potential for detecting child sexual abuse materials on online platforms and flagging suspicious behaviour on social networks. More must be done to put this into practice."

On top of this, governments should update their legislation and practices to ensure that law enforcement agencies have access to the tools they need to prevent offences, and to investigate them where they do occur. Solicitation and grooming of children online should be criminalised.

Age-appropriate sex education can empower children to report abuse, and teachers and other professionals should be trained to recognise it, report suspicions, and assist victims. The Council of Europe will continue to do all that it can to support governments in taking the steps required to protect children from this and all other kinds of abuse.