digitallawJournal of Digital Technologies and LawJournal of Digital Technologies and Law2949-2483Kazan Innovative University named after V. G. Timiryasov10.21202/jdtl.2025.9gvmhzvdigitallaw-539Research ArticleARTICLESСТАТЬИJudicial Reasoning as a Mechanism for the Legal Protection of Children Against Digital Sexual Abuse and Child PornographyСудебная аргументация как механизм правовой защиты детей от цифрового сексуального насилия и детской порнографииhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7388-1337АбделькаримЯ. А.AbdelkarimYa. A.

Абделькарим Яссин Абдалла – судья, Cуд общей юрисдикции в Луксоре, Министерство юстиции Республики Египет; магистр права, Школа права в Лидсе, Лидский университет Беккета

Адрес: Египет, Сохаг, 82516, Мадинат Насер, ул. Ахмим Сохаг, ул. Нью Касалови Отель; Великобритания, Лидс, городской кампус, LS1 3HE

Yassin Abdalla Abdelkarim – Judge, Luxor Elementary Court, Egyptian Ministry of Justice; LLM Master of Laws, Leeds Law School, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom

Address: New Casalovy Hotel Street, Akhmim Sohag Street, Madinat Nasser, 82516, Sohag, Egypt; LS1 3HE, City Campus, Leeds, United Kingdom

yassinabdelkarim91@gmail.comCуд общей юрисдикции в Луксоре; Лидский университет БеккетаЕгипетLuxor Elementary Court; Leeds Beckett UniversityEgypt20250607202532203221Copyright © Abdelkarim Y.A., 20252025Абделькарим Я.А.Abdelkarim Y.A.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://www.lawjournal.digital/jour/article/view/539Objective

Objective: to examine the contribution of judicial reasoning to the legislation interpretation, which is aimed at strengthening the legal protection of children against child pornography and digital sexual abuse under the rapid development of cyberspace. The study eliminates the gap in scientific knowledge concerning the possibilities of judicial interpretation as an alternative to the slow process of legislative amendments.

Methods

Methods: the main methodological approach is the analysis of court decisions on child pornography and sexual abuse of children from 2018 to 2024. The author used comparative legal analysis and the study of judicial practice in various jurisdictions, including decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, the courts of the USA, Great Britain and Ireland. The research is based on a conceptual analysis of the principle of the child’s best interests and its application in judicial practice.

Results

Results: the author proved that judicial reasoning is an effective mechanism for overcoming the limitations of legislative formulations in protecting children from online exploitation. The key areas of judicial reasoning were identified: the expansion of the child pornography concept, the inclusion of contactless forms of sexual abuse, the use of digital technologies to collect evidence, and the priority of the concept of the child’s best interests over procedural restrictions. The research confirmed the ability of judicial reasoning to create legal precedents that ensure a more flexible and effective application of existing legislation.

Scientific novelty

Scientific novelty: for the first time, the article comprehensively investigated the role of judicial reasoning as a tool for the dynamic interpretation of legal norms of protecting children from digital sexual abuse. The author developed a conceptual model of the interaction between judicial reasoning and the principle of the child’s best interests. The study reveals mechanisms of overcoming legislative stagnation through judicial interpretation of legal norms related to modern forms of child pornography in cyberspace.

Practical significance

Practical significance: The study results can be used in judicial practice to substantiate decisions in cases of child pornography, in law-making activities to improve childhood protection standards, and in the practice of law enforcement agencies. The conclusions help to form a more effective justice system that takes into account children’s interests. The research can serve as a basis to develop methodological recommendations on using judicial reasoning in cases of minors’ protection.

Цель

Цель: исследование направлено на изучение вклада судебной аргументации в толкование законодательства для усиления правовой защиты детей от детской порнографии и цифрового сексуального насилия в условиях быстрого развития киберпространства, устраняя тем самым пробел в научном знании о возможностях судебного толкования как альтернативы медленному процессу внесения законодательных поправок.

Методы

Методы: в качестве основного методологического подхода применен анализ судебных решений по делам о детской порнографии и сексуаль­ном насилии над детьми за период с 2018 по 2024 г. Использованы методы сравнительно-правового анализа, изучения судебной практики различных юрисдикций, включая решения Европейского суда по правам человека, судов США, Великобритании и Ирландии. Исследование основывается на концептуальном анализе принципа наилучших интересов ребенка и его применения в судебной практике.

Результаты

Результаты: установлено, что судебная аргументация представляет собой эффективный механизм преодоления ограниченности законодательных формулировок при защите детей от онлайн-эксплуатации. Выявлены ключевые направления судебного толкования: расширение понятия детской порнографии, включение бесконтактных форм сексуального насилия, применение цифровых технологий для сбора доказательств, приоритет концепции наилучших интересов ребенка над процедурными ограничениями. Доказана способность судебной аргументации создавать правовые прецеденты, обеспечивающие более гибкое и эффективное применение существующего законодательства.

Научная новизна

Научная новизна: впервые комплексно исследована роль судебной аргументации как инструмента динамического толкования правовых норм в сфере защиты детей от цифрового сексуального насилия. Разработана концептуальная модель взаимодействия судебного толкования с принципом наилучших интересов ребенка. Выявлены механизмы преодоления законодательного застоя через судебную интерпретацию правовых норм применительно к современным формам детской порнографии в киберпространстве.

Практическая значимость

Практическая значимость: результаты исследования могут быть использованы в судебной практике для обоснования решений по делам о детской порнографии, в законотворческой деятельности при совершенствовании норм защиты детей, в правоприменительной практике правоохранительных органов. Выводы работы способствуют формированию более эффективной системы правосудия, учитывающей интересы детей, и могут служить основой для разработки методических рекомендаций по применению судебной аргументации в делах о защите несовершеннолетних.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.