arXiv subjects

Tegan Insoll

Publications and source records attributed to Tegan Insoll.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Deterring Searches for Child Sexual Abuse Material on Google Search and Promoting Help-Seeking

Google Search deploys a "Onebox" feature at the top of the results page when users conduct searches for Child Sexual Abuse Material. This study evaluates the impact of a strategic shift in this feature, comparing a revised intervention, focused on repercussions and therapeutic resources, to a previous iteration that focused on reporting. Using a difference-in-differences analysis of internal Google Search logs data, we found the new messaging resulted in a 3.8 percentage point reduction as compared to the status quo in subsequent CSAM-related queries within the same Search session. We found an average click through rate of 0.73% on any of the hyperlinked buttons to help-providing resources. Together, this research presents convergent evidence that a subset of individuals can be deterred from ongoing CSAM-seeking and redirected to therapeutic services.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2026

Warning Message Content Increases Help Seeking in a Large-Scale Dark Web CSAM Intervention

Warning messages have been used to disrupt individuals seeking online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and promote engagement with support services, yet large-scale field evidence on message content remains limited, particularly in high anonymity environments. This study reports a field experiment on Ahmia.fi, a Tor search engine, examining how warning message content influences behavior. Across a 140-day period, almost 20 million searches were observed, with over 3 million searches containing known CSAM-related terms that triggered a warning linking to an anonymous self-help program. Users were exposed to warning messages varying in thematic content and framing, or a neutral message. Across a randomized comparison, a campaign-wide analysis, and interrupted time series models, message content consistently influenced engagement with help resources. All active messages increased click-through rates to help resources relative to the neutral condition, with a harm-focused message producing the strongest effects. At the platform level, click-through rates increased from 8.73% before the intervention to 15.67% during the campaign. These findings highlight the importance of message content in shaping responses to warning interventions, supporting an approach in which messaging is refined and adapted to increase engagement with support resources.

cs.CY↗

arXiv2024

Investigating child sexual abuse material availability, searches, and users on the anonymous Tor network for a public health intervention strategy

Tor is widely used for staying anonymous online and accessing onion websites; unfortunately, Tor is popular for distributing and viewing illicit child sexual abuse material (CSAM). From 2018 to 2023, we analyse 176,683 onion domains and find that one-fifth share CSAM. We find that CSAM is easily available using 21 out of the 26 most-used Tor search engines. We analyse 110,133,715 search sessions from the Ahmia.fi search engine and discover that 11.1% seek CSAM. When searching CSAM by age, 40.5% search for 11-year-olds and younger; 11.0% for 12-year-olds; 8.2% for 13-year-olds; 11.6% for 14-year-olds; 10.9% for 15-year-olds; and 12.7% for 16-year-olds. We demonstrate accurate filtering for search engines, introduce intervention, show a questionnaire for CSAM users, and analyse 11,470 responses. 65.3% of CSAM users first saw the material when they were children themselves, and half of the respondents first saw the material accidentally, demonstrating the availability of CSAM. 48.1% want to stop using CSAM. Some seek help through Tor, and self-help websites are popular. Our survey finds commonalities between CSAM use and addiction. Help-seeking correlates with increasing viewing duration and frequency, depression, anxiety, self-harming thoughts, guilt, and shame. Yet, 73.9% of help seekers have not been able to receive it.

cs.CR↗