Dark corners of the web: How CSAM is putting children at risk
The threat is now considerably more hidden and difficult to detect, as it spreads through various means including social media, gaming apps and covert platforms like the dark web.
SHAH ALAM – The ever-advancing digital world has created new opportunities for learning and connection, but it has also created vast new risks for children, including the disturbing circulation of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
CSAM refers to any form of content — images, videos, illustrations, or digitally manipulated visuals — that depicts the sexual abuse of children. These materials are now being generated and spread with alarming sophistication, including through artificial intelligence (AI) and digitally manipulated images.
According to Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil, the CSAM threat is no longer confined to dark, hidden corners of the web — it has infiltrated everyday digital spaces including gaming apps and social media.
“CSAM is not a foreign issue. It happens here, inside the phones and computers of our children. Society’s silence only gives predators more room to operate,” Siraj said.
He stressed that those who possess, distribute or create CSAM can face severe legal consequences, including up to 30 years' imprisonment under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Meanwhile, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 outlines penalties for distributing immoral content, including a RM50,000 fine or up to a year in prison.
A key tactic used by online predators is grooming — where trust is gradually built with a child before abuse is perpetrated.
“There have been cases where primary school pupils were contacted through online games and asked to send indecent photos. Without parental supervision, these crimes can easily happen,” he warned.
Siraj urged early exposure to digital safety for children stressing, “Our children must be digitally literate and able to distinguish between safe and dangerous situations.”
Parental Involvement Still Lacking
Former SK Serting Ilir Parent-Teacher-Association (PIBG) president, Nurulazma Shafiqah Khairul Azhar, added that many parents still think the threat of CSAM happens only in foreign countries or through abduction.
“In reality, it can happen right in their own homes. Once a child uploads a photo on social media without supervision, the risk already exists,” she said.
Nurulazma observed that digital safety issues are rarely discussed at PIBG meetings, which often focus more on academics or discipline. As a solution, she proposed that schools and PIBGs form Digital Safety Units to establish guidelines and awareness campaigns.
“Teachers also need training to identify signs of digital exploitation among pupils,” she said, while also urging government efforts to be “straightforward and accessible” to ensure that the message of digital safety reaches all layers of society.
CSAM Leads to Trauma
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) senior lecturer, Dr Nurhafizah Mohd Sukor, emphasised that exposure to CSAM causes deep emotional trauma, both in the short and long term.
“Children may feel ashamed, afraid, panicked and lose trust in others. If left untreated, these emotional wounds can persist into adulthood,” she explained.
Common warning signs include behavioural changes, sleep disturbances, withdrawal from social activities, and even irritability. Victims might also panic when encountering elements that resemble their abuser’s actions.
“In the long run, these emotional scars can result in trauma where children experience flashbacks of the abuser’s behaviour,” she warned.
Dr Nurhafizah strongly advised that parents maintain open communication, provide emotional support, and seek professional help if trauma symptoms emerge in their children.
Understanding the Hidden Landscape of CSAM
Further elaborating on the disturbing reality of CSAM, criminologist and senior lecturer Shankar Durairaja from the School of Criminal Justice & Psychology, Enforcement, Leadership, and Management University (ELMU) explained that CSAM has evolved beyond traditional forms.
“CSAM includes images, videos, texts and drawings. It can also extend to animations, CGI, AI-generated content and comics, depending on the type of representation and the legal definitions within a jurisdiction. The most common forms of CSAM are images and videos,” he said.
“Perpetrators distribute such materials mainly online via the internet, using platforms such as social media, online forums, streaming services, encrypted emails, secure file transfer systems, the dark web, gaming platforms, or offline means such as USB drives, CDs, DVDs and memory cards.”
He also highlighted that offenders increasingly use encryption techniques and anonymous networks to conceal their identities, accumulated collections, CSAM activities, and communication with minors.
Who Are the Most Vulnerable Children?
Children from dysfunctional families, or those experiencing emotional neglect, trauma, or financial hardship, are at greater risk of being targeted, according to Shankar.
“A dysfunctional family environment can lead to children not receiving enough attention and care at home, leading them to seek affection, validation and connection from outsiders, particularly through online platforms,” he said.
Children desperate for attention, or those enticed by false promises of financial rewards, often fall prey to predators.
“In some cases, perpetrators lure these children with false promises of money or gifts in return for explicit content, only to deceive or manipulate them later,” he added.
Shankar observed a rising and worrying trend of high-risk online behaviours among children, including sending inappropriate messages and flashing.
“This behaviour is evidence of children’s low digital literacy,” he said, calling for immediate intervention in educating both parents and children on online dangers.
Strengthening Laws and Enforcement
On the legal front, Shankar pointed to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which criminalises the making, production, distribution, or possession of CSAM under Sections 4, 5, and 6.
The Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, meanwhile, enables the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to enforce penalties on those who distribute obscene material online.
“At the moment, the government has revised the CMA Act and introduced an Online Safety Act to protect children not only from CSAM but from all inappropriate content,” he said.
The Emotional Fallout: Families in Crisis
The psychological impact of CSAM is devastating for both victims and their families.
“Victims of CSAM can experience chronic trauma that can lead to severe mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and depression. These psychological effects not only disrupt the victim’s life but also have a profound impact on the family,” said Shankar.
Many victims suffer from self-blame and guilt, potentially leading to self-harm or even suicidal thoughts.
“Feelings of humiliation, fear and shame can lead to public stigmatisation or cause victims to isolate themselves from family and society,” he warned.
The families of victims may experience emotional stress, anger, guilt, fear and helplessness. In some extreme cases, they may even relocate to protect the child’s privacy, leading to financial strain.
Building a National Defence: The Safe Internet Campaign (KIS)
To reinforce preventive measures, the government has introduced the Safe Internet Campaign (Kempen Internet Selamat, KIS), spearheaded by the Communications Ministry and the MCMC.
KIS targets primary school children, university students, teachers, parents, senior citizens, and grassroots communities through talks, exhibitions, training, and interactive competitions.
Its mission is to cultivate digital responsibility from an early age while empowering adults to guide children in navigating the online world.
Among its flagship initiatives are the Interactive Internet Safety Module tailored for children under 13, special guides for teachers and parents, and creative competitions such as Choral Speaking and Menu Viral under the theme ‘Semak Sebelum Sebar’ (Verify Before Sharing).
“The campaign is being carried out in two phases from January 2025 until 2027, involving over 10,000 schools, universities, communities and Digital Economy Centres (NADI) nationwide,” Siraj shared.
Core modules include lessons on digital literacy, recognising social media dangers, and understanding platform age restrictions. KIS also seeks to foster a safer digital ecosystem through close collaboration with schools, parent groups, NGOs, and grassroots communities.
Siraj reminded that while government efforts are ramping up, community responsibility is equally critical.
“Ultimately, parents and caregivers are the frontline defenders. They must not ignore suspicious online behaviour involving children. Silence is complicity,” he stressed.
The Way Forward: A Nationwide Commitment to Protection
For Shankar, combating CSAM requires a four-pronged commitment:
Strategic Law Enforcement
“Law enforcement must employ advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, computer vision, and hash algorithms to detect and stop CSAM distribution,” he said.
Ongoing Education
Prevention should begin in kindergarten and continue throughout a child’s school life, focusing on digital literacy, safe internet practices, recognising grooming, and building digital resilience.
Industry Engagement
Companies involved in digital platforms must be held transparent and accountable.
“They must not hide behind false claims that they are acting in the best interests of millions of children,” Shankar stressed.
Legislative Reforms
New or revised laws should be constantly introduced to ensure adaptability in the face of evolving online threats.
Ultimately, while initiatives like the Safe Internet Campaign (KIS) are commendable, protecting children from CSAM demands a nationwide commitment from law enforcement to classrooms, from regulators to parents at home.
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