The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued landmark guidance urging parents to avoid putting photos of their children on public display online, in a bid to tackle the rise of AI-generated sexual abuse material. The advice, developed in partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), recommends that parents and guardians make their social media accounts private or share pictures through a “close friends” group.
NCA and IWF Stress Awareness, Not Control
The NCA and IWF emphasized that they are not dictating how parents should behave online but want them to be aware of the problem and how to address it. “We are not telling parents what to do, but we want them to understand the risks and take simple steps to protect their children,” a spokesperson said.
Rise of AI-Generated Abuse Material
The guidance comes amid a surge in AI-generated child sexual abuse material. According to the IWF, reports of AI-generated imagery have increased significantly, with offenders using photos scraped from social media to create realistic but fake abusive content. The NCA has noted that such material can be used to blackmail children or normalize abuse.
Parents are encouraged to review their privacy settings and consider the potential long-term implications of sharing images publicly. The NCA advises using secure, private channels for sharing family photos.
Public Response and Next Steps
The Guardian is seeking parents’ views on this guidance. Readers can share their experiences via an encrypted form, anonymously if desired. The data will be used solely for this feature and deleted afterward.
