Technology has made it easier for children to connect with the world, but it has also created new ways for predators to exploit them. Tackling this problem requires more than removing harmful content after it appears online. It also involves identifying victims, helping investigators trace abuse and giving technology companies tools to detect exploitation. This challenge prompted actor Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore to establish the DNA Foundation in 2009, which later became Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, a technology-driven nonprofit focused on protecting children from sexual exploitation online.According to Thorn’s August 11, 2026, mid-year impact update and its retrospective, Thorn at Ten: A Decade of Progress, the organisation detected 1,399,479 suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files between January and June 2026. Its victim identification tools were also being used by 1,046 law enforcement agencies during the same period. Separately, Thorn’s 2025 impact figures reported that its victim identification technology was being used in 40 countries. These figures highlight how the organisation has expanded its work from an initial anti-trafficking initiative into a wider effort to use technology against online child sexual abuse.
From the DNA Foundation to Thorn
Kutcher and Moore established the DNA Foundation in 2009 after learning about the scale of child sex trafficking and exploitation. Their initial focus was on raising awareness and bringing together organisations that could help prevent trafficking and protect vulnerable children.In November 2012, the foundation adopted the name Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children and refined its mission to focus more closely on the role of technology in child sexual exploitation. The organisation recognised that digital platforms could be used by offenders to target children, distribute abusive material and extend exploitation across geographical boundaries.Thorn subsequently began working with technology companies, researchers, law enforcement agencies and other child protection organisations to develop tools that could help identify victims and detect abusive content. One of its early initiatives was the Thorn Technology Task Force, which brought technology companies together to explore solutions to online child exploitation.
How its technology helps investigators
A major part of Thorn’s work involves helping law enforcement identify children depicted in suspected abuse material. Its Spotlight tool was developed to assist investigators in finding victims of child sex trafficking and exploitation. By organising information and helping investigators examine evidence more efficiently, the technology can reduce the time spent identifying children who may still be experiencing abuse.The organisation also develops tools for technology companies to detect child sexual abuse material on their platforms. Its Safer product helps content-hosting services detect, review and report suspected abusive material. These tools are intended to prevent such content from spreading and reduce the repeated victimisation of children whose abuse has been documented and circulated online.Thorn’s 2026 mid-year update reported that its technology processed more than 1.09 trillion files between January and June to detect suspected child sexual abuse material. During this period, it identified nearly 1.4 million suspected CSAM files and 470,521 suspected instances of child sexual exploitation. The organisation also reported that 86 companies were using its CSAM detection products. These figures represent suspected material and instances identified by its systems, rather than a confirmed count of individual victims or proven criminal cases.
Expanding research and child safety efforts
Thorn’s work extends beyond detection technology. It also conducts research into how children experience the internet and how online exploitation methods are changing. Its 2025 Youth Perspectives Report examined young people’s online experiences, including emerging patterns involving artificial intelligence and access to age-restricted platforms.In the first half of 2026, the organisation also published research on Sadistic Online Exploitation, examining how violent online networks exploit weaknesses in existing child protection systems. The findings are intended to help investigators, technology companies, policymakers and caregivers better understand emerging risks. Another development during this period was the integration of Thorn’s Grooming Detection technology into Hive’s moderation platform. The organisation also introduced Context Labels to its Safer product, giving safety professionals additional information to assess suspected abusive content and prioritise investigations.Thorn’s international reach has grown alongside these initiatives. Its 2025 impact report recorded that victim identification tools were being used in 40 countries, while its mid-2026 update reported 1,046 law enforcement agencies using its child victim detection tools.The organisation’s progress reflects a broader shift in child protection, where technology companies, investigators and researchers increasingly need to work together. Although detecting suspected abusive material is only one part of the response, Thorn’s work aims to help identify victims sooner, limit the circulation of harmful content and strengthen safeguards for children navigating the digital world.