Europe Advances Child Protection Online

European countries have strengthened protections for children against online sexual exploitation, according to a monitoring report by the Council of Europe's Lanzarote Committee. Countries have expanded investigative powers, increased funding for prevention, and stepped up training for professionals.

The report notes, however, that children in many countries continue to face disproportionate criminalization, for example over possessing or sharing nude images of themselves, commonly known as sexting. Criminal penalties are often prioritized over education, and comprehensive support remains lacking.

Shortcomings also persist in the cross-border prosecution of offenders and in supporting victims after trials conclude.

Artificial intelligence (AI) poses a significant new threat, as offenders use it to generate realistic sexual images of children for extortion. In response, the Council of Europe's committees have adopted a joint declaration classifying the creation of such AI-generated images as illegal.

Where children themselves use these tools, the report recommends a therapeutic and educational approach rather than punitive measures.

(tasr, max)