Parents are being urged to think carefully before sharing their children’s photos on social media after the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) warned that advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are making it easier for criminals to create fake and abusive images.
The warning highlights growing concerns that ordinary family photos posted online can be manipulated using AI, potentially exposing children to privacy and safety risks.
AI Increasing Risk of Image Misuse
According to the UK National Crime Agency, even everyday photos of children can be altered using AI tools to create fabricated explicit content.
Experts say the practice of parents frequently sharing their children’s photos online—often referred to as “sharenting”—can unintentionally increase the risk of images being misused by criminals.
Sharp Rise in AI-Generated Child Abuse Material
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reported a significant increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material during 2025.
According to the organization, it identified around 3,500 AI-generated images and videos involving children in 2025, compared with just 13 reported cases in 2024, underscoring the rapid growth of this form of online abuse.
Safety Advice for Parents
The Internet Watch Foundation recommends that parents:
- Keep social media accounts private.
- Share children’s photos only with trusted family members and friends.
- Use privacy features such as “Close Friends” or similar audience controls.
- Talk to children about their digital privacy and seek their consent, where appropriate, before posting their photos online.
Experts say these measures can help reduce the risk of children’s images being copied or manipulated without permission.
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