Summary The guidance states: “AI is becoming a part of everyday life.
(Web Desk) - Parents should avoid publicly posting images of their children online amid rising concerns over AI-generated abuse material, the National Crime Agency has warned.
The warning comes in partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation, which says there is a growing risk of children’s images being misused to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) using artificial intelligence tools.
The NCA said more than 8,000 AI-generated images and videos of realistic child sexual abuse were identified by the IWF in 2025, a 14% rise on the previous year.
Tim Wright, a senior manager at the NCA, said: “While we and policing colleagues tackle offenders, prevention remains vital.”
The organisations have issued updated guidance for parents and guardians, aimed at reducing risks linked to online image sharing.
The guidance states: “AI is becoming a part of everyday life.
“Whilst it has many benefits, it can also be misused, including by those who use it to make, manipulate and share nude, semi-nude or sexual images and videos of children.”
The IWF said analysts identified 13 AI-generated videos of child sexual abuse in 2024. This rose sharply to 3,440 in 2025.
It classifies this content as CSAM under UK law.
The guidance highlights three main actions parents should take: Review privacy settings on social media apps, using in-app controls to limit who can view posts or setting accounts to private.
Check social media accounts for existing posts, ensuring identifiable details such as school uniforms or faces are not visible and removing risky content where needed.
Revisit image consent with family, friends and organisations such as schools or clubs, and review permission forms relating to children’s images.
It also encourages parents to involve children in conversations about how their images are used and shared, helping them understand when to say no.
The government has also moved to address AI-driven abuse, including banning so-called “nudification” apps and tightening rules on AI firms to prevent systems being used to create illegal material.
The guidance aims to help parents understand emerging risks linked to AI and child sexual abuse material.
It states: “Hearing about this as a parent or carer can feel alarming, but you are not alone.
“It’s important to know there are steps you can take, many of which you may already be doing, to help better protect your child.”
Kerry Smith, head of the IWF, said: “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.
“These are not hypothetical threats; they are real.”
The advice builds on long-standing concerns around so-called “sharenting”, where parents share images of children online.
Experts warn it can expose children to risks including identity theft, fraud and long-term privacy issues as they grow older.
The rise of AI tools capable of manipulating images has intensified those concerns, making safeguarding advice increasingly urgent.
