The impact of owning silicone sex dolls resembling human children has sparked a contentious social debate over the years. Beyond the initial revulsion that many people feel towards this behavior, there are legitimate concerns about the potential influence these dolls may have on owners, particularly in relation to sexual abuse of real children or involvement in the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Protecting children from exploitation is a shared objective in these discussions, although the ethics surrounding such experimentation have led to calls for banning these dolls or robots.

Several individuals worldwide have faced prosecution for purchasing these dolls, typically sourced from Chinese manufacturers. In numerous cases, authorities intercepted the dolls before delivery, leading to further investigations that uncovered instances of possession of CSAM on the defendants’ devices. In some early cases, individuals were prosecuted under laws governing the importation of prohibited materials, with the argument made in court that the doll’s appearance reflected that of a nude, sexualized child. Consequently, several U.S. states and other countries have enacted or are in the process of passing laws to ban the importation, sale, or possession of such dolls.

Regrettably, our understanding of the impact of these TPE love doll remains limited. Previous research on individuals possessing CSAM suggests that the effects are multifaceted, with no clear correlation to contact sexual offenses. Factors such as antisocial personality traits, low empathy, impaired impulse control, and substance abuse have shown a higher likelihood of increasing the risk of child sexual abuse compared to possessing CSAM.

In August 2022, Harper and Lievesley conducted a study published in The Archives of Sexual Behavior comparing the psychology of individuals attracted to children who owned child sex dolls with those who did not. The study included 85 doll owners and 120 non-owners, all of whom self-reported sexual interest in children. Surprisingly, the primary motivations for ownership were emotional intimacy, companionship, and fantasy play, with sexual reasons not outweighing other factors. The study found that doll owners engaged in sexual activities with the dolls more frequently than with adult human partners, but they exhibited fewer antisocial traits and less arousal towards sexually abusing children compared to non-owners. The high level of emotional and relational connection to the dolls among owners, coupled with their tendency to have unconventional personality types, suggests that owning these dolls may not significantly predict a higher risk of offending against children.

Another study by Desbuleux and Fuss published in The Journal of Sex Research explored the impact of owning adult or child sex dolls on sexual fantasies, behaviors, and criminal tendencies. The study involved 224 men, 23 of whom owned child sex dolls and had pedophilic sexual interests. Owners of silicone love doll reported a general decrease in potentially problematic sexual behaviors, including pornography consumption and engagement with sex workers. Men with pedophilic tendencies experienced the greatest reduction in compulsive or problematic sexual behaviors due to owning a child sex doll. Consistent with Harper and Lievesley’s findings, this study also noted a decreased interest in real-world sexual offenses against children among doll owners and a greater likelihood of exploring their illegal fantasies with the dolls.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the significant limitations in current studies of the impact of child sex doll ownership. These studies rely on self-reporting, encompass correlational data, lack longitudinal information, and only examine individuals who already possess such dolls. Given the substantial cost associated with these sex doll torso, the sample may not be representative of men at risk of engaging in sexual offenses. Moreover, future research should also investigate the connection between doll ownership and possession of illegal child sexual abuse material.

While existing research provides insights into the potential impact of adult dolls on criminal sexual behavior, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn at this time. The findings challenge social and legal concerns that these dolls may increase the likelihood of sexual abuse against children. Instead, they suggest that dolls may mitigate feelings of loneliness and provide a safe outlet for individuals’ illegal fantasies, thus minimizing harm to children. Approaches to regulating and prohibiting these behaviors should be driven by a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics involved, focusing on reducing actual risks to children rather than solely responding to feelings of disgust and anger. Balancing these factors poses a challenging dilemma, as we strive to protect children while effectively addressing the underlying issues contributing to harmful behaviors.