Generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology has developed rapidly in recent years; with just a short text prompt, it can generate realistic images and various digital content in mere seconds. However, this technology, which originally held innovative potential, is gradually being abused by lawbreakers, giving rise to serious social and ethical problems. Among the most worrying is the use of AI to create illegal imagery involving child abuse, and the number of related cases is increasing at an alarming rate.
The number of AI-generated child abuse images has surged, and parents need to be more cautious about sharing photos of their children online.
According to the British media,The GuardianAccording to a report, the number of AI-generated child abuse images identified by relevant regulatory authorities in the first half of 2026 has already exceeded the total for all of 2025, indicating that the problem is rapidly worsening. The UK-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which monitors and combats online child exploitation content, stated that between January and June this year, it flagged 6,310 illegal AI-generated images, an increase of as much as 40% compared with approximately 4,500 during the same period last year. Most of these images depicted girls, with children aged 7 to 13 accounting for the largest share, reflecting that children are becoming the main victims of this kind of technology abuse.
In addition to directly generating illegal images, the abuse of AI deepfake technology is equally concerning. A UK service called Report Remove is dedicated to helping people remove intimate images distributed without consent. This year, the platform has received 420 reports from children or adolescents who suspect their photos have been altered or synthesized into indecent content. Notably, this figure has already surpassed the 397 cases reported in all of last year, indicating that such criminal behavior is not only becoming more common but also causing greater psychological pressure and reputational harm to children and adolescents.
As the problem continues to grow, the UK government has made AI-generated child abuse imagery a criminal offense. In addition to possessing or distributing such content being illegal, deliberately modifying an AI model so that it can produce such imagery, or providing such a model to others for use, may also be illegal. Anyone who specifically develops or builds an AI system for the purpose of generating illegal child imagery could face up to five years in prison.
However, some child protection groups believe current laws are still insufficient to keep pace with rapidly developing AI technology. IWF Head of Policy Hannah Swirsky called on the government to advance a more binding AI-specific law, requiring tech companies to implement safety mechanisms early in product design to reduce the likelihood of tools being misused. She stressed that tech companies are not only responsible for creating innovative technologies, but also have an obligation to ensure these technologies are not used to harm others. At present, the UK government has not clearly proposed a new bill specifically targeting AI. However, relevant officials said the possibility of further legislation in the future cannot be ruled out, and all policy directions will take safeguarding public safety as their core consideration.
Beyond legal and regulatory measures, experts also remind parents to be more vigilant. The UK National Crime Agency and IWF recommend that parents avoid sharing large numbers of photos of their children on public social media platforms to reduce the risk of images being misused. If they do need to share everyday photos, it is best to set their accounts to private and limit access to friends and family only, to reduce the chance of personal data being leaked.
For many parents, sharing important moments of their child’s growth is a joy and a way to keep a record. However, in an era where AI technology is increasingly widespread, every public photo online may carry the risk of being maliciously exploited. Spending a few minutes checking the privacy settings on social media platforms may seem trivial, but it can help build a more comprehensive protection mechanism for children and family, avoiding irreversible harm and trouble in the future.
Source: KOCPC Chinese