INHOPE hotlines received 326,776 reports during the second quarter of 2026 (April – June), as they continued to assess and respond to reports of online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Based on data from hotlines across 25 countries, overall reporting volumes decreased by 5.5 per cent in Q2 2026 (compared with Q1 2026). However, the picture varied across the network, with some countries seeing significant increases while others recorded fewer reports.
This quarter, hotlines received a total of 77,165 reports of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a 60 per cent decrease compared with the previous quarter. At the same time, reports of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) increased significantly, reaching 100,528 reports. Moreover, a substantial proportion of these reports were ultimately assessed as not illegal. This highlights the crucial screening role hotlines play in assessing reports and determining next steps, allowing law enforcement to focus on cases that require further action.
The online spaces where harmful content is found are also changing. AI-generated and virtual CSAM remain a growing concern, with 5,808 reports recorded in Q2. As this type of content becomes more realistic, identifying and assessing it remains a challenge for hotline analysts. Alongside this, websites remained the most common location, but hotlines continued to identify content across social media platforms, messaging services, and online communities. Hotlines also highlighted the issue of bots and automated accounts, showing how harmful content can spread through a growing number of channels.
The number of INHOPE member hotlines with trusted flagger status under the Digital Services Act (DSA) continued to grow. In June 2026, the Irish Internet Hotline became a trusted flagger, bringing the total number of INHOPE member hotlines with this designation to 15. Together, they submitted 3,265 notices during the quarter, with France and Sweden remaining the largest contributors.
Hotlines also continued to improve their systems and ways of working. Following improved cooperation with law enforcement, the Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (CNZD) in Croatia can now view and analyse reported CSAM directly, while Spain and Luxembourg continued work on ICCAM API integrations, and Portugal introduced a new case management system.
Once again, this quarter shows how quickly the online environment continues to change. While reporting volumes went down overall, hotlines are seeing new content formats and new ways to share them.
INHOPE hotlines operate within the European Safer Internet Centre network, which provides support on numerous online issues relating to content, contact, commercial issues, or harmful behaviour online. Find out more on how to get immediate, free support in your country.
INHOPE hotlines received 326,776 reports during the second quarter of 2026 (April – June), as they continued to assess and respond to reports of online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Based on data from hotlines across 25 countries, overall reporting volumes decreased by 5.5 per cent in Q2 2026 (compared with Q1 2026). However, the picture varied across the network, with some countries seeing significant increases while others recorded fewer reports.
This quarter, hotlines received a total of 77,165 reports of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a 60 per cent decrease compared with the previous quarter. At the same time, reports of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) increased significantly, reaching 100,528 reports. Moreover, a substantial proportion of these reports were ultimately assessed as not illegal. This highlights the crucial screening role hotlines play in assessing reports and determining next steps, allowing law enforcement to focus on cases that require further action.
The online spaces where harmful content is found are also changing. AI-generated and virtual CSAM remain a growing concern, with 5,808 reports recorded in Q2. As this type of content becomes more realistic, identifying and assessing it remains a challenge for hotline analysts. Alongside this, websites remained the most common location, but hotlines continued to identify content across social media platforms, messaging services, and online communities. Hotlines also highlighted the issue of bots and automated accounts, showing how harmful content can spread through a growing number of channels.
The number of INHOPE member hotlines with trusted flagger status under the Digital Services Act (DSA) continued to grow. In June 2026, the Irish Internet Hotline became a trusted flagger, bringing the total number of INHOPE member hotlines with this designation to 15. Together, they submitted 3,265 notices during the quarter, with France and Sweden remaining the largest contributors.
Hotlines also continued to improve their systems and ways of working. Following improved cooperation with law enforcement, the Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (CNZD) in Croatia can now view and analyse reported CSAM directly, while Spain and Luxembourg continued work on ICCAM API integrations, and Portugal introduced a new case management system.
Once again, this quarter shows how quickly the online environment continues to change. While reporting volumes went down overall, hotlines are seeing new content formats and new ways to share them.
INHOPE hotlines operate within the European Safer Internet Centre network, which provides support on numerous online issues relating to content, contact, commercial issues, or harmful behaviour online. Find out more on how to get immediate, free support in your country.
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