Advertisers of merchandise for young girls find that adult men can become their unintended audience. In a test ad, convicted sex offenders inquired about a child model.

© Illustration by Amir Hamja/The New York Times

A report by Stanford researchers cautions that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children doesn’t have the resources to help fight the new epidemic.

© Tom Brenner for The New York Times

Legislators in two dozen states are working on bills, or have passed laws, to combat A.I.-generated sexually explicit images of minors.

© Ruth Fremson/The New York Times

Among those with substance use disorders who have been referred to child welfare, less than half received medication or counseling.

© Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times