Authorities are urging parents to exercise greater caution when sharing images of their children online amid a sharp increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material. The National Crime Agency (NCA) has advised that photos of children be shared privately rather than posted publicly on social media platforms, citing a growing threat posed by the misuse of such images.

The advice includes recommendations for parents and guardians to restrict social media accounts to private settings or to share pictures only within trusted groups of close friends. They are also encouraged to engage in open conversations with their children about consent and the circumstances under which individuals or organizations can publish their images. This guidance extends to schools and sports clubs, with suggestions to reassess previously granted permissions for taking and sharing children’s photos in light of recent advances in AI image manipulation.

Parents are further advised to consider deleting older photos from social media profiles to reduce the risk of these images being exploited by online predators. The NCA emphasizes that the digital tools available today have changed the nature of such crimes; offenders no longer need to make direct contact with victims to create abusive material, as AI technology can generate highly realistic content without ever interacting with the child.

Data from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reveals a significant surge in AI-generated child sexual abuse videos, rising from just 13 cases identified in 2024 to 3,440 in 2025. This dramatic increase highlights the evolving challenges law enforcement and child protection agencies face in combating online exploitation.

The NCA’s warnings serve as a call to action for parents to be more vigilant and proactive in protecting children from emerging risks associated with the misuse of personal images and strengthening digital safety practices within families and communities.