United Kingdom: Office of Communications published results of inquiry into online child sexual abuse and exploitation

On 18 March 2026, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published the results of its inquiry into global online child sexual abuse and exploitation. The inquiry, conducted with the non-governmental organisation Protect Children, surveyed over 20,000 offenders anonymously to understand how they use online services. Findings show that 59% of respondents were first exposed to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) before age 18, with 24% encountering it accidentally. Offenders used both the dark web and open web at similar rates, including search engines and pornography sites. Platform features such as anonymity and lack of age verification influenced their choices. The study also found that 29% viewed AI-generated CSAM, while 10% created it using available tools. Warning messages appeared in 34% of cases, prompting reflection or behavioural change in about a third, and 19% of participants had been sanctioned or banned from platforms. Ofcom intends to use the report to inform its regulatory approach to protecting children from sexual violence and to address gaps in how active offenders exploit digital services. The study was supported by international law enforcement and academic bodies, including the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.