Parents are being advised to exercise extreme caution when posting images of their children online due to a significant rise in the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) have issued new guidance to help parents protect their children from online predators who exploit artificial intelligence to create abusive content.
Key recommendations include limiting the visibility of photos by making social media accounts private or adjusting privacy settings to share content only with trusted friends and family. The agencies also stressed the importance of discussing image consent with other family members, friends, and organizations where children participate, such as schools and clubs.
Tim Wright from the NCA highlighted the increasing power and accessibility of AI tools, stating that offenders are using them to target children in novel ways. "Images shared online, even everyday family photos, can be stolen and manipulated to create sexualised content without a child or parent's knowledge," Wright explained. He urged parents to take simple preventative steps, emphasizing that while law enforcement works to tackle offenders, prevention remains critical.
Kerry Smith, chief executive of the IWF, described the threat as "disturbing" and noted that images posted online can make individuals, especially children, vulnerable to exploitation. "We don't want to say: don't share your children's images with the people you love and trust. But we want everyone to be aware of the potential risks and make an informed decision with the full facts at their disposal," Smith said. She underscored that these are not hypothetical threats but real dangers with potentially devastating and lasting harm.
IWF analysts reported a dramatic increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse videos, from just 13 in 2024 to 3,440 in 2025. The NCA has also observed a growing trend of offenders leveraging AI technologies for child exploitation.
Dan Sexton, the IWF's chief technology officer, expressed strong reservations about posting children's pictures online without adequate protection. The guidance also suggests revisiting conversations about image consent as children grow older and engage more with online spaces, and being prepared to address concerns with individuals who may have posted photos without permission.
These warnings come amidst broader discussions in the UK about child safety online. Last month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to ban children from accessing social media until the age of 16, a move intended to protect young people's childhoods and well-being. The proposed legislation would hold technology companies liable for enforcing these restrictions and include measures to prevent children from interacting with adults on gaming and livestreaming platforms, alongside potential curfews and scrolling limitations for minors.