PDRM Detects Children as Young as 13 Producing Animated Pornographic Content

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has detected the involvement of children as young as 13 in producing sexually explicit animated content, reflecting a worrying new trend in online sexual exploitation crimes.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Datuk M. Kumar said the discovery followed the arrest of eight children aged between 13 and 18 during an integrated operation conducted with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from Sept 14 to 16.

He said investigations found that some suspects not only downloaded child sexual abuse material (CSAM) but also produced their own animated content before distributing or selling it online.

“Some suspects became more creative by producing their own anime-style animations before selling the content online using payment methods such as e-wallets and PayPal.

“This trend is extremely worrying because it shows active involvement in content production, rather than merely consuming such material,” he told a press conference on Integrated Op Pedo 3.0 at Bukit Aman on Tuesday.

Elaborating, he said one of the youngest suspects arrested was a 13-year-old girl.

“Investigations found that some of the children involved acquired knowledge related to these activities through online platforms,” he said.

He added that the children involved typically interacted within online communities whose members shared similar interests and tendencies before exchanging material or information among themselves.

“We are seeing how social media influence, uncontrolled internet access and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), could potentially contribute to the development of this trend.

“That is why continuous parental monitoring is very important, as children today are more exposed to and more proficient in using digital technology,” he said.

Kumar said enforcement measures alone were insufficient to curb such crimes. Instead, continuous efforts involving families, schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies were needed to strengthen moral awareness and online safety.

He stressed that online child sexual exploitation has become a critical threat requiring comprehensive action from all parties to protect children from becoming either victims or perpetrators.

Astro AWANI