Protecting young citizens in the digital world remains a strategic priority for the State Police. On the occasion of National Anti-Pedophilia Day, the report "Digital Traces, Real Victims" outlined the scope of an ongoing commitment aimed at combating increasingly complex and technologically advanced phenomena.
During 2025, the Postal and Cybersecurity Police handled 2.623 cases related to the dissemination of illicit material online, carrying out extensive monitoring that led to the blocking of 2.876 websites.
The numbers of contrast and prevention
The investigative efforts conducted over the past year have produced tangible results on the legal front: 1.039 searches were carried out, leading to the arrest of 224 people and the reporting of another 1.085 individuals at large. In addition to repression, authorities have focused on proactively blocking threats, blacklisting thousands of blocked domains to protect users' browsing.
The Evolution of Threats: Grooming and Sextortion
The report highlights how risk dynamics are rapidly changing. In 2025, 434 cases of online grooming were reported, with a worrying incidence of increasingly younger age groups.
At the same time, reports of sextortion remain high, with 223 recorded incidents, and cyberbullying, involving minors in 365 cases. Experts report a growing use of anonymization tools, dark web browsing, and the use of artificial intelligence to create sophisticated illicit content.
Training and Innovation: The Cypher Project
To meet technological challenges of this magnitude, the Italian State Police is focusing on specialization and international cooperation. The Cypher (Cybersecurity Youth Protection Hub for Exchange and Resilience) project is currently underway at the Tuscolano Campus. The initiative involves 100 specialized operators and foreign delegations in a high-level training program.
At the core of the program are Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques and digital forensics, supported by the use of advanced software such as Griffeye. The goal is to strengthen investigative capabilities in the cyber domain, ensuring constant surveillance of a network that has become an integral part of the country's social and economic life. The safety of minors, institutions reiterate, remains a goal achievable only through ongoing synergy between prevention, education, and technical counteraction.
In short
Protecting younger citizens in the digital space remains a strategic priority for the State Police.
- On the occasion of the National Day Against Pedophilia, the report "Digital Traces, Real Victims" outlined the perimeter of a…
- During 2025, the Postal and Cybersecurity Police handled 2.623 cases related to the spread of…
- The numbers of countering and preventing crime. The investigative activity conducted over the last year has produced tangible results on the legal front:…
Key questions
What is the main point of the news?
Protecting younger citizens in the digital space remains a strategic priority for the State Police.
Why is this news relevant?
On the occasion of the National Day Against Pedophilia, the report "Digital Traces, Real Victims" outlined the perimeter of a…
Which detail helps us understand the case better?
During 2025, the Postal and Cybersecurity Police handled 2.623 cases related to the dissemination of illicit material online, operating…
This seems like an important article, but I don't quite understand the numbers: 2623 cases and 2876 websites taken down—the statistics seem contradictory—1.039 searches, and 224 arrests? The police are doing their job, but more clarity is needed; prevention must be continuous, training and international cooperation should be more practical and less bureaucratic.