Sickening representations of child-like sex dolls are being promoted for sale on Facebook. Several websites are advertising these small models that closely resemble children, with some photos showing them in sexualized poses, often with balloons or teddy bears. The National Crime Agency has raised concerns about these lifelike dolls, stating that they present a significant risk to children. A former police officer has emphasized that individuals purchasing such dolls should be closely monitored by law enforcement.
Although advertisements for these dolls violate the policies of Meta, Facebook’s parent company, many were removed after being reported. However, Meta continued to profit from each new advertisement posted. The discovery of these ads was a result of a collaborative investigation by Sunday Mirror and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. A Meta spokesperson stated that any content breaching their policies is promptly removed.
While owning child-like sex dolls is not illegal in the UK, guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service suggests that importing, selling, or sending these dolls through the mail could potentially be unlawful. These dolls are being marketed by a website that heavily relies on Facebook advertising.
Investigations revealed the existence of six Facebook pages managed by administrators from various countries, including Poland, Indonesia, India, and undisclosed locations. These pages exclusively feature ads for sex dolls and have collectively amassed over 600 followers. New ads are posted daily, with some remaining visible for extended periods.
The Bureau identified around 20 ads still present on Meta’s ad library since November 2024, indicating that they had evaded removal procedures. Several ads were active on the platform as recently as last week, with one user expressing dissatisfaction with the realism of their purchased doll on Facebook. The concerning trend of customers seeking increasingly lifelike features in these dolls was highlighted.
One of the websites sells a “mini sex doll” resembling a young child for £266, claiming that these mini dolls, while resembling child sex dolls, are distinct and legal. Despite concerns about customs clearance, the website assured potential customers from the UK that many have successfully purchased multiple dolls from them.
Jim Gamble, a former police officer and CEO of the Ineqe Safeguarding Group, emphasized the risks associated with individuals seeking these dolls for sexual fantasies involving children. He stressed the importance of addressing and preventing such behavior, suggesting that those purchasing these dolls should be closely monitored by law enforcement.
Recently, a man from Romford, east London, received an 18-month community order for importing a sex doll and other offenses related to indecent images. Countries like Australia, Germany, Norway, and Denmark have criminalized the possession of such dolls. Meta’s guidelines prohibit the promotion of adult sexual arousal products, and its ad review process employs automated tools to detect policy violations.
The National Crime Agency reiterated that there is no valid reason for possessing child-like sex dolls, emphasizing the risks posed to children by those acquiring such products. They stated that attempted importation of these items is taken seriously and investigated in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to safeguard children.