What It'll Take to Eradicate CSAM in 2 Years:
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable—and it's still spreading online. While countless organizations claim to fight exploitation, too many fail to focus on the most urgent and actionable front: the complete eradication of CSAM.
This isn’t about theory or tech that doesn’t exist yet. The tools, laws, and knowledge are already here. What we need is coordinated action, accountability, and national urgency.
Here's how the United States can eliminate CSAM from mainstream platforms in just 24 months.
Why Focus on CSAM First?
- It’s already illegal under federal and international law.
- It’s universally condemned—there is no "gray area."
- It’s actionable with existing technology like PhotoDNA, CSAI Match, and Thorn Safer.
- It’s often used to fuel trafficking, extortion, and grooming.
If we can’t unite and act decisively around eradicating CSAM, how can we address more complex challenges?
What’s the Problem?
Platforms are still failing to proactively scan, detect, and report CSAM. Many focus more on adult content regulation than removing illegal abuse content. Others rely on outdated manual review systems or claim to "flag and remove" content after it goes live—putting children at further risk.
Our 2-Year Blueprint to Eradicate CSAM
1. Mandate Universal Use of Existing Tech
All platforms hosting user-generated content (UGC) must implement the following:
- PhotoDNA (Microsoft)
- CSAI Match (YouTube)
- Thorn Safer
- Google Content Safety API
- IWF and NCMEC Hash Lists
Deadline: Within 6–12 months. Tools must be implemented at the upload level, before content goes live.
2. Enforce Existing Laws & Penalties
Under 18 U.S.C. § 2258A, platforms must already report known CSAM. The REPORT Act increases penalties up to $1M per violation. We recommend:
- Applying penalties to any platform that fails to proactively detect or report CSAM
- Holding executives personally liable for willful negligence
- Rewarding platforms that comply with a "Digital Safety Certification"
3. Launch a National Public Accountability Dashboard
- Quarterly transparency reports from major platforms
- Track CSAM reports, removals, and average response times
- Public recognition for compliant platforms
4. Create a Dedicated Federal Task Force
Establish a Digital Child Protection Division under DOJ or DHS that:
- Audits platforms
- Supports CSAM investigation units
- Partners with NCMEC and vetted NGOs and survivor-led orgs
5. Educate the Public
- Launch a national awareness campaign: "What is CSAM? What Can You Do?"
- Mandate child exploitation prevention education in schools
- Equip parents with Bark, SpyX, and other child safety tech tools
6. Train Law Enforcement & Educators
Every SRO, educator, and school counselor should receive annual training on:
- How to detect grooming and CSAM
- Mandatory reporting and digital safety protocols
We Have the Tools. Now We Need the Will.
Stopping CSAM shouldn’t be controversial. It should be our collective first step in dismantling exploitation online. If you're a parent, tech worker, legislator, or just a concerned citizen—we need you.
Don’t look away. Speak up. Demand action.
