Parents warned not to publicly share children’s images amid AI abuse risks
Parents Urged to Limit Public Sharing of Children's Images Amid AI-Generated Abuse Risks
Parents warned not to publicly share - As artificial intelligence tools become more advanced, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) have issued a caution to parents about the dangers of posting their children’s photos online. The agencies highlight that AI can now generate realistic child sexual abuse material (CSAM), raising concerns about how these images might be misused.
Rising Concerns Over AI-Enhanced Child Exploitation
In 2025, the IWF reported over 8,000 AI-generated images and videos of child sexual abuse, a significant 14% jump from 2024. This marked a notable escalation in the use of AI to manipulate visual content, with analysts identifying 13 videos in 2024 and 3,440 in 2025. The NCA emphasizes that while law enforcement addresses offenders, proactive measures by parents are essential.
"Prevention is crucial, and awareness plays a key role in safeguarding children from these digital threats," said Tim Wright, a senior manager at the NCA.
The NCA and IWF have collaborated to release updated guidelines for parents, focusing on strategies to protect children in the digital age. These include adjusting privacy settings, reviewing shared content, and ensuring consent for image use. The guidance underscores that AI, though beneficial, can also be exploited to create or alter child nudity in photos and videos.
Three Steps to Enhance Online Safety
The agencies outline three critical actions for parents: - Review privacy controls: Adjust settings in social platforms to restrict post visibility or create private accounts. - Inspect shared content: Verify existing posts to ensure no identifying details—like a child’s face or school attire—are exposed. - Revisit image consent: Confirm with friends, family, and institutions such as schools or clubs about image usage. Including children in these discussions can help them understand boundaries and express their comfort level.
"These are not hypothetical threats—they are real and growing," stated Kerry Smith, head of the IWF. "We encourage informed choices, not blanket restrictions."
Experts have long raised alarms about "sharenting," a term added to the Collins English Dictionary in 2016. This refers to parents sharing their children’s images on social media. While such sharing can expose kids to risks like identity theft or privacy breaches, the rise of AI tools has intensified these concerns. These tools can now generate convincing CSAM, including altering clothing in photos to create explicit content.
The UK government has taken steps to combat AI-driven abuse, such as banning nudification apps and revising laws to hold tech companies accountable. The latest guidance aims to equip parents with practical tools to mitigate risks while balancing the benefits of digital connectivity.
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