INTO THE LIGHT Index on Global Technology-Facilitated Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse 2026

Childlight is pleased to launch a new series of Into the Light Index data products: our data updates. These data updates provide an opportunity for us to delve deeper into emerging data, both qualitative and quantitative, that underpin our various Into the Light Index indicators around a specific thematic focus. This, our first, Into the Light Index data update focuses on new emerging data as well as updating existing global and regional prevalence and scale data on Technology-Facilitated Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (TF-CSEA). TF-CSEA refers to any form of child sexual abuse or exploitation in which digital technology plays a role, including the internet, smartphones, social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms or even devices used to record or store abuse.

This report includes an update on our living systematic review of TF-CSEA victimisation prevalence across our conceptual framework of five subtypes (online solicitation, exposure to unwanted sexual content, CSAM/IBSA, online sexual exploitation, sexual extortion) of victimisation experiences, our first update since first publishing this data in 2024. This data update also introduces new, emerging data sources on child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from index data partners and for the first time, a deeper analysis on CSEA guidance materials (also referred to as ‘paedophile manuals’ in some circles). This update on CSAM also includes new regional updates on our key indicators in this area.

This data update provides governments, civil society and other actors with the latest emerging evidence on TF-CSEA. Over the coming years, this data update approach will be expanded to other thematic areas, with our 2027 edition set to focus on a deeper dive into our set of system strengthening indicators.

This report provides an overview of these findings, which are discussed in more detail in the full report. It can be read as a standalone document, or alongside our online Interactive Index Dashboard, Technical Note and open access data for greater depth. We hope that whatever your role, you find this Index data update a powerful tool to catalyse data-driven change – because children can’t wait.