Facebook has been used to advertise disturbing child-like sex dolls that are shockingly realistic. These dolls, with features resembling children, have been promoted on various websites through over 1,300 ads on the social media platform. The National Crime Agency has raised concerns, stating that these dolls present a significant risk to children. Importing or selling such dolls may breach the law, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Although Facebook’s parent company, Meta, prohibits such content and has taken down many ads, new ones continue to appear. Investigations by the Sunday Mirror and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism uncovered multiple Facebook pages promoting these dolls. These pages, managed from various locations worldwide, post ads regularly, some remaining active for extended periods.
The presence of these ads on Meta’s platform, despite efforts to remove them, indicates a loophole in the takedown procedures. One website openly sells “mini sex dolls” resembling young children, emphasizing their legality compared to child sex dolls. Concerns have been raised by experts like Jim Gamble, highlighting the potential risks associated with individuals purchasing these dolls.
While owning a child-like sex doll is not illegal in the UK, the possession of such dolls is criminalized in countries like Australia, Germany, Norway, and Denmark. Meta’s policies prohibit the promotion of adult sexual arousal products, including these dolls. The National Crime Agency has emphasized that there is no valid reason for owning child-like sex dolls and that individuals acquiring such products pose a significant threat to children.
Recent incidents, such as the case of a man in London receiving a community order for importing a sex doll, underscore the legal implications of possessing these items. Efforts are being made to combat the circulation of these dolls, with authorities and technology platforms working to prevent their availability and protect vulnerable individuals.