One in three internet users in Europe is younger than 18 years old, spending on average 6,5 hours online daily. But while the internet offers children endless opportunities to study, shop and meet online, it was never designed with children in mind, leaving them exposed and vulnerable to sexual abuse. On a daily basis, tremendous amounts of child sexual abuse material are produced and circulated online. Those contents have increased significantly since the beginning of the pandemic as Europol pointed out in several of their reports. Crimes of this nature are particularly severe in that the victims are children to whom it causes long-term physical and psychological harm.

Reviewing existing EU legislation on combating sexual exploitation of children and child pornography is necessary to reinforce safeguards, and tackle this crime in order to better protect young internet users. Children do not have a seat at the table when legislation is drafted, yet it is essential that their voice is heard in order to adequately tackle the challenges they face. Survivors of child sexual abuse, organisations working with the victims as well as law enforcement officials will be part of the discussion to correct design faults, take the interests of children into account and strengthen our collective response against this increasing crime.