UK authorities have issued urgent warnings to parents about sharing children’s photos online, as AI tools increasingly enable digital abuse and exploitation. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) say that ordinary images of kids can be misused by predators to create realistic, sexually explicit material using “nudification” apps and deepfake technology. While officials stress they are not dictating parenting choices, they want families to understand a risk that many may not realize exists.
The scale of the problem is growing fast. In 2025, the IWF identified 8,029 AI-generated images and videos classified as realistic child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a 14% rise from the previous year. AI-generated abuse videos jumped from just 13 in 2024 to 3,440 in 2025, showing how quickly the threat is escalating as imaging models improve. Because these fakes can be so convincing, it is becoming harder for platforms and investigators to distinguish them from real abuse content, complicating removal efforts and victim support.
In response, the NCA and IWF have published new guidance urging parents and carers to limit who can see images of their children online. Their advice includes setting social media accounts to private, using “close friends” lists for sharing family photos, and regularly reviewing older posts that might expose children’s images to strangers. The guidance also recommends a “social media audit,” asking parents to check whether a child’s face, body, or school uniform is visible online and whether those images can be deleted or made private. The NSPCC similarly advises that minors keep their social media profiles on private settings to reduce exposure.
The UK government is also tightening laws and platform responsibilities. It has made it illegal to create, possess, or distribute AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse imagery, with offenders facing up to five years in prison. Under the Online Safety Act, tech platforms must proactively remove such content, and new powers will allow authorized testers to assess AI models for their ability to produce CSAM before they reach the market. A government spokesperson confirmed that AI-generated CSAM is treated the same as real imagery under UK law and must be taken down swiftly.
Beyond privacy settings, experts recommend open conversations with young people about AI, “deepfake” nudes, and image consent. Children should understand that once a photo is online, it can be copied, altered, and misused—even if they trusted the original audience. Guidance also outlines steps to take if a child is targeted or if manipulated images appear, including reporting to platforms and contacting the IWF or police. As AI continues to turbocharge digital abuse risks, cautious sharing and strong privacy habits are becoming essential parts of modern parenting.