2023 Marks Most Extreme Year for Online Child Sexual Abuse, Reports Indicate

Internet Watch Foundation highlights a significant rise in abusive material involving very young children, urging immediate action from tech companies.

A record 275,655 webpages containing child sexual abuse were reported in 2023, with a disturbing increase in material involving children as young as three.
Predators increasingly use technology, including AI, to manipulate and extort children into producing sexual images from the safety of their homes.
The U.K. government and Internet Watch Foundation call for stronger online safety measures and immediate implementation of the Online Safety Act.
Tech companies are urged not to wait for regulatory fines but to proactively enhance safeguards to protect young users.
Proposals to ban smartphone sales to children under 16 and raise social media age limits are being considered to combat the growing threat.