Sickening child-like sex dolls are being promoted for sale on Facebook, resembling small models with features that appear overtly childlike. These dolls, advertised in over 1,300 posts on the platform, are shockingly realistic and often depicted in sexualized poses, some even holding balloons or teddy bears. The National Crime Agency has issued a warning, stating that these dolls present a significant risk to children. A former police officer expressed concern, suggesting that individuals purchasing these dolls should raise suspicion among law enforcement authorities.
Despite violating Meta’s policies, ads for these dolls were found on the social media platform, with Meta profiting from each new publication. The discovery was made through a joint investigation by the Sunday Mirror and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. A Meta spokesperson emphasized that such content goes against their guidelines and assured that they promptly remove any reported violations.
While owning child-like sex dolls is not illegal in the UK, guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service indicates that importing, selling, or sending these dolls through the mail could lead to legal repercussions. The dolls are being sold by a website that heavily relies on Facebook ads for promotion.
An examination revealed six Facebook pages managed by administrators in various locations, including Poland, Indonesia, India, and undisclosed places. These pages exclusively post ads for sex dolls, amassing a total of over 600 followers. They regularly update their ads, some remaining visible for weeks at a time.
The investigation uncovered approximately 20 ads that had been active since November 2024 and were still accessible in Meta’s ad library, suggesting a circumvention of the platform’s removal procedures. Notably, a few ads remained active as recently as last week. One disturbing complaint on Facebook highlighted a user’s dissatisfaction with the doll’s finger joints, indicating a troubling level of detail scrutiny.
One website offers a “mini sex doll” resembling a young child for £266, claiming that while child sex dolls are illegal in most countries, mini sex dolls are distinct. The site assured a potential customer from the UK that many clients have successfully imported multiple dolls without issue.
Jim Gamble, a former police officer and CEO of the Ineqe Safeguarding Group, emphasized the concerning nature of individuals seeking out these dolls for sexual fantasies involving children. He stressed the importance of addressing this issue promptly and ensuring that those purchasing such items are closely monitored by law enforcement.
Recently, a 43-year-old man from Romford, east London, received an 18-month community order after admitting to importing a sex doll and other offenses related to indecent images. Several countries, including Australia, Germany, Norway, and Denmark, have criminalized the possession of such dolls. Meta’s regulations prohibit any promotion of adult sexual arousal products.
The National Crime Agency condemned the possession of child-like sex dolls, stating that there is no legitimate reason for owning such items. They emphasized that individuals acquiring these products pose a significant threat to children and affirmed their commitment to investigating and preventing the importation of such items to safeguard children.