Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) refers to sexually explicit content involving a child. This can include photographs, videos, or computer-generated images that depict a minor in a sexually explicit manner.
There is No Such Thing as ‘child pornography’. This phrasing implies consent and even legality, as pornography is legal in most countries for consenting adults. But children cannot legally or ethically consent to sexual activity, and they can never be complicit in their abuse.
That’s why the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is calling for an end to the outdated and damaging use of the phrase ‘child pornography’. It’s time to use language that reflects the true nature of these acts and respects the victims of these crimes.
While the term is still used in some legislation and media, it’s not the right language. What people often call ‘child porn’ is more accurately known as child sexual abuse material (CSAM).