This map shows legal status of child pornography. Child pornography refers to images or films (also known as child abuse images) and in some cases writings depicting sexually explicit activities involving a child; as such, child pornography is a record of child sexual abuse. Abuse of the child occurs during the sexual acts which are recorded in the production of child pornography, and the effects of the abuse on the child (and continuing into maturity) are compounded by the wide distribution and lasting availability of photographs of the abuse.

The laws of each countries were assessed based on five criteria:

1. Are there existing laws criminalizing child pornography? (see Note 1)

2. Does existing law include a legal definition of child pornography?

3. Is the possession of child pornography a crime? (see Note 2)

4. Is the distribution of child pornography via computer and the Internet a crime? (see Note 3)

5. Are Internet Service Providers (ISPs) required to report suspected child pornography to law enforcement? (see Note 4)

Number of countries meet all of the criteria: 5

Number of countries meet all but the last criteria, pertaining to ISP reporting: 24

Number of countries do have some legislation specifically addressing child pornography: 68

Number of countries have no legislation at all that specifically addresses child pornography: 92

Note

1. Countries in which there is a general ban on pornography, regardless of whether the individuals being depicted are adults or children, are not considered to have "legislation specific to child pornography," unless there is a sentencing enhancement provided for offenses committed against a child victim.

2. Simple possession, refers to possession regardless of the intent to distribute.

3. Law mention of a computer, computer system, Internet, or similar language (even if such mention is of a "computer image" or something similar in the definition of "child pornography"). In cases where other language is used in national legislation, an explanatory footnote is provided.

4. While some countries may have general reporting laws (i.e., anyone with knowledge of any crime must report the crime to the appropriate authorities), only those countries that specifically require ISPs to report suspected child pornography to law enforcement (or another mandated agency) are included as having ISP reporting laws. Note that there are also provisions in some national laws (mostly within the European Union) that limit ISP liability as long as an ISP removes illegal content once it learns of its presence; however, such legislation is not included in this section.