Artificial intelligence and digital sex crimes: an emerging threat to children

Abstract

The article analysed the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the creation of child sexual abuse content, an emerging problem within cybercrime. In the introduction, AI was presented as a technology capable of imitating human cognitive functions, highlighting its potential for both progress and illicit uses, especially in digital environments.
During the development, it explained how generative AI was used by criminals to produce CSM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) without the need for physical contact with real victims. It showed how this technology made it possible to create hyper-realistic images and fake sexual videos of minors, generating a new form of victimisation. Various international reports, such as those by the Internet Watch Foundation and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, revealed an alarming increase in this content on the web, as well as the difficulty in distinguishing it from real material. In addition, legal weaknesses in countries such as Argentina, where specific regulations to punish these technological crimes had not yet been established, were addressed.
In conclusion, the need for an interdisciplinary response combining legislation, education, technology and social awareness was raised. It was argued that without adequate regulatory frameworks and preventive strategies, AI could become a dangerous tool for facilitating crime. Finally, it was emphasised that protecting children and adolescents from these new digital threats should be an urgent priority on the public agenda.