"There is no single technological "silver bullet" solution to the serious problem of online CSAM

"There is no single technological "silver bullet" solution to the serious problem of online CSAM. But that doesn't mean we must choose between "chat control" or nothing. As experts in child protection have long highlighted, fighting online CSAM requires a broad spectrum of solutions that encompass an all-of-society approach. Taking a socio-technical lens to the problem can also help us understand where technology can play an assistive role, whilst recognizing technology’s limits to tackle complex societal issues.

A meaningful solution requires measures at the level of the family, school, community, technology (including investing in vital child protection hotlines), policing, justice, and society. Alone, none of these measures will be enough. But together, they can be effective in preventing abuse and curbing the spread of this deeply harmful material.

We also desperately need more large-scale research and investment in how to prevent offending in the first place, stop people who have offended from offending again, and move towards “healing, not policing”. With the crime of CSA most often committed by adults (well)known to the child, solutions must center on primary prevention, rather than on digital manifestations of the crime once the abuse has already happened.

If the EU truly cares about tackling online CSAM, effective measures should never be considered too expensive. Substantial investment into multi-disciplinary online investigation capacity would go a long way to address the root, rather than the symptoms, of child sexual abuse. However, this must also be matched with reforms towards child-friendly and trauma-informed access to justice, given the long history of police and criminal justice systems failing survivors."

techpolicy.press/moving-past-c

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