Joel Scanlan, Lauren C. Hall, Paul Watters, Richard Wortley, Jeremy Prichard
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is commonly searched for on the open web. This study evaluates the reThink chatbot that was integrated into a warning message page on Pornhub in the United Kingdom (UK). The chatbot directs users searching for CSAM to the StopItNow support service. Evaluation data showed a significant decrease in CSAM searches following the chatbot’s deployment, suggesting its disruptive effect. These findings highlight the potential for situational crime prevention strategies in mitigating CSAM within mainstream pornography platforms and demonstrate the potential of collaborative efforts between technology companies, law enforcement, and support organizations in combating engagement with CSAM online.