Written by Tampere University
In collaboration with SafeHorizon, Protect Children has launched a groundbreaking research initiative titled “Tell Me More About Tech.” The research aims to reveal how offenders who commit sexual offenses against children online misuse technology. With support from Tampere University and Ahmia.fi dark web search engine, the survey reaches anonymous Tor users directly, where child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is often sought.
The multilingual survey, available in 23 languages, is actively collecting thousands of responses. By targeting offenders on the dark web, researchers aim to better understand the technological enablers of online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
An estimated 300 million children are victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation each year. As technology evolves, so too do the methods offenders use to access, produce, and share CSAM. Abuse spreads not only across the dark web but also via mainstream platforms and messaging apps—often faster than detection and removal systems can respond.
This research addresses an important knowledge gap. With input from law enforcement, regulators, and child protection experts, Protect Children has developed the survey to explore how specific technologies influence offender behavior, support offending networks, and drive patterns of abuse. The Ahmia.fi Tor search engine distributes the survey for those who seek CSAM. The findings will offer evidence-based insights to policymakers and platform developers aiming to combat the spread of CSAM.
The “Tell Me More About Tech” research marks a vital step toward safer online environments for children. By understanding how offenders operate in digital spaces, all stakeholders will gain actionable knowledge to prevent abuse.
