Source: National Crime Agency

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and the National Crime Agency (NCA) report a sharp rise in offenders exploiting publicly available images of children to create AI-generated sexualised content and have launched a joint campaign and guidance for parents and carers in response. IWF analysts found 3,440 AI-generated videos of child sexual abuse in 2025 compared with 13 in 2024, and identified 8,029 AI-generated images and videos of realistic child sexual abuse in 2025, a 14% increase on the prior year. The IWF also reported that of the 3,443 AI-generated child sexual abuse videos identified in 2025, 65% were classified as Category A under UK law, a higher proportion of the most severe category than for non-AI videos.

The campaign includes adverts on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube and the issued guidance advises parents on image consent, safe ways to share images, talking to children about AI and deepfake nudes, and steps to take if imagery is made or shared. The guidance suggests reviewing privacy settings, limiting visibility (for example using 'close friends' groups), revisiting consent conversations with children, and contacting police or CEOP if targeted. The IWF warned that criminal gangs had targeted a UK school by taking pupil images from a school website, using AI to create over 100 sexual images, and attempting to blackmail the school; the IWF acted to stop uploads. NCA commentary stresses that AI tools are increasingly accessible and being misused, and the IWF calls on tech companies to evaluate and safeguard AI models before release. The guidance reiterates that images and videos of child sexual abuse are illegal in the UK whether created with AI or not.