The NCA and the IWF say there is a growing risk that children’s images shared online can be scraped and then manipulated using AI to create realistic abusive content. They warn that this can lead to child sexual abuse material being produced and circulated for exploitation and blackmail, even when the original images were shared innocently by parents.

The agencies point to a sharp rise in AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery, with the IWF identifying thousands of AI-made abusive images and videos in 2025. They say criminals increasingly do not need to groom children directly because publicly available photos can be used to generate explicit material without consent.

Alongside the warning, the organisations released updated advice for parents and carers aimed at prevention rather than panic. The guidance recommends:

Review privacy settings to restrict who can view posts, including using private accounts or “close friends” groups. Check existing images already shared by family, looking for identifiable details such as a child’s face, school uniform, or other information that could expose them. Revisit consent for children’s photos shared by schools, clubs, or other organisations, and withdraw or update permission if needed.

The NCA and IWF encourage parents to talk with children about where and when their images are taken and shared, so children feel comfortable saying no.