Exactly. Same with faux bait stuff. I personally think it's gross so I don't consume it, but if everyone is a consenting adult and it stops people from consuming real CSAM I can't really support banning it.

But the problem many people have with stuff like that is they assume the people consuming it will go on to do it to real people, which is the same argument they tried to use against violent video games.

It's a moral panic - pure and simple. The same reason some countries want to ban cartoon/animated pictures where the fictional character looks too young. I guess the underlying assumption there is that it'll increase the number of people offending towards real children but I don't think there's any evidence to back that up.

If it was up to me, the criteria would be whether an actual person is being hurt directly or as a consequence of. That would include real violence, real pictures and possibly also GenAI stuff if it's trained on real content.

I believe the last time something like this came up, the argument was raised that it normalizes the behavior and leads to escalation, i.e. “they’re just illustrations” “it’s just a doll” to “I’m just taking photos” or “it’s just touching”, this time against actual victims

They are making these legislations to steer people's focus away from the real CSA.

Remember. CSAM is just the symptom. CSA being the actual cause.

Hey if nothing else it gives you a decent idea of who to watch

In theory this is non-harmful. In practice this is part of a fantasy escalation ladder that leads bad places. Your actions are led by your thoughts, and you are the thoughts you feed. In reality it's a good thing to not feed thoughts of abusing children.

I'd note that I'd be similarly uncomfortable with people buying hyper-realistic dolls to practice amateur torture on, but I'm ok with people buying silicone dolls to practice tattoo art and wound stitching on. The difference being intent, which is a line I'm equally unhappy with the government drawing. Someone slicing up a slab of silicone shaped like a baby because they have a desperate desire to hurt babies that they are actively feeding into is bad. Someone practicing stitching up silicone babies after injuries because they always wanted to be a doctor and never got the chance is healthier and fine. It's the "what are you feeding with this action?" Problem of governance.

If it's lifelike, I can understand it, because that's where I also draw the line when it comes to drawings and the likes.