Nobody is protecting digital children and it’s almost always disingenuous when this argument is claimed to be made. The effort is to stop the normalization of the sexualization children. Lolicon is exclusively about romancing or sexualizing children. Deluded adults who think what happens in lolicon material is ok are potential risks to real children. Allowing such a risk to children for the pleasure of these adult is absurd.
I understand what you’re saying, but the fighting against Lolicon doesn’t necessarily take away from the fight against real CSAM. The reality is serious, far-reaching, and, ultimately, human issues like the exploitation of children are complex and require effort on multiple fronts to be effective.