This is an investigation by Maldita.es about TikTok accounts that post sexualized AI-generated images and videos of girls and teenagers, or content created by real underage kids on the platform, and use it to attract pedophiles who then can go and purchase or exchange real child pornography on services like Telegram. Maldita has identified 40 accounts with over 1.5 million followers. More than 5,200 AI-generated videos and 3,600 videos of real minors.

The investigation consists of six articles:

The market for AI-generated child sexual content on TikTok and the gateway to child pornography

“Schoolgirls”: TikTok accounts that reuse content created by girls for sexual purposes and have thousands of followers

From TikTok subscriptions to selling pornography: how accounts that sexualize minors make money on and off the platform

Inside a pedophile’s algorithm: TikTok’s responsibility in recommending videos that sexualize minors

Child pornography just a click away: how pedophiles access illegal content on Telegram via TikTok

TikTok’s inaction regarding accounts using AI to sell child pornography on Telegram

This is what we found:

• AI-GENERATED SEXUALIZED CONTENT OF GIRLS AND TEENAGERS: dozens of accounts create sexual videos of minors on TikTok using generative artificial intelligence.
• EXPLICIT COMMENTS: the videos are full of comments like “they have to learn sooner or later,” “all the way to the bottom” or sexually explicit images of what they would do to those girls.
• VIDEOS OF YOUR DAUGHTER DANCING CAN ALSO BE PART OF THAT MATERIAL: there are users who reuse videos uploaded by actual minors to make them available to other users gathered in one account. They also become filled with explicit comments.

• USERS (AND TIKTOK) MAKE MONEY FROM IT: using TikTok’s subscription systems or selling child pornography created with AI on external websites.
  -TikTok receives up to 50% of the profits from subscriptions.
• THE ALGORITHM KNOWS WHAT PEDOPHILES LIKE: TikTok facilitates access to this content and recommends them in the For You tab and in search.
• TIKTOK PROHIBITS IT, BUT DOES NOT ENFORCE ITS OWN RULES: they say they do not allow “accounts focused on AI images of young people in adult attire, sexualized poses or facial expressions” and “sexualizing or fetishizing a minor”.
  -We have reported 15 accounts that shared AI-generated videos of sexualized minors. According to TikTok, only one violated its policies and all were still accessible 72 hours later.
  -The Digital Services Act (DSA) requires TikTok to assess whether its systems pose a risk to “the rights of the child” or have negative effects on “the protection of minors”.

• A GATEWAY TO BUYING AND EXCHANGING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY: in the comments of these TikTok videos there are users who advertise their Telegram accounts where they sell child pornography and actual child abuse.
  -We have identified 12 Telegram accounts that sell illegal material.
  – 8 sent us proof that they have real child pornography. Maldita.es reported it to the police in Spain.

Cover photo: Maldita.es