In a stark warning, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) have issued crucial guidance advising parents against sharing images of their children online. This move comes as fears grow over the increasing prevalence of AI-generated sexual abuse material, a troubling trend that has raised alarm bells among child protection experts.
Heightened Awareness Needed
The NCA and IWF, recognising the threat posed by online predators and criminal networks, emphasised that many parents remain unaware of the risks associated with posting their children’s images publicly. They recommend that parents make their social media profiles private or restrict access to a select group of “close friends.”
Tim Wright, a senior manager at the NCA, stressed the importance of taking proactive steps: “We encourage parents and carers to take a few simple steps today.” The guidance outlines essential actions to safeguard children, including reviewing privacy settings, auditing existing posts, and fostering open conversations about image consent.
The Alarming Rise of AI-Generated Abuse Material
Recent data reveals a staggering 14% increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) over the past year. The IWF reported identifying 8,029 images and videos in 2025 alone. This worrying trend underscores the urgency of the NCA and IWF’s guidance. Many parents, unaware that their children’s innocent photos could be manipulated into abusive content, inadvertently contribute to this crisis.
Lorna Sinclair, a child sexual abuse education manager at the NCA, highlighted the shocking reality: “The average parent or carer does not post a picture of a child online thinking that it might be scraped to be turned into CSAM.” The grim implications of this technology are becoming all too clear, with young victims facing the devastating impact of image manipulation and extortion.
A Call for Vigilance
The guidance also addresses the need for parents to audit their social media accounts, ensuring that identifiable images of their children are not exposed to potential predators. Moreover, it prompts a review of consent forms signed for school or sports events, which may have been agreed to before the technological landscape shifted dramatically.
Dan Sexton, IWF’s chief technology officer, expressed his discomfort with the need to advise parents against sharing photos. “I would be very cautious [about putting pictures of children online] because there is no protection,” he said, underlining the seriousness of the issue.
Practical Steps for Parents
To help parents navigate these challenges, the NCA and IWF suggest several practical measures. Users are encouraged to conduct a social media audit, checking if their child’s face, body, or school uniform appears in posts. Parents should also communicate with friends and family about the images they may have shared and consider whether to retract consent for published photos.
The NSPCC aligns with these recommendations, advocating for under-18s to maintain private social media accounts to enhance their safety online. Videos released as part of the guidance depict hypothetical scenarios of parents photographing their children and highlight the potential risks involved in sharing those images.
Why it Matters
This guidance is not just a precaution; it is a necessary response to a rapidly evolving digital landscape where the safety of our children is increasingly at risk. As AI technology advances, so too do the methods employed by predators. Parents must remain vigilant and informed, recognising that even seemingly harmless photos can have dire consequences. By taking proactive steps now, families can help create a safer online environment for future generations.
