Record levels of dangerous AI‑generated child sexual abuse imagery were found by the IWF in 2025, with a dramatic rise in severe content. New polling shows 82% of UK adults want government action to ensure AI systems are safe by design.
A new IWF report reveals record levels of AI‑generated child sexual abuse imagery and alarming insight into how offenders are exploiting emerging technologies. The charity is urging EU lawmakers to introduce a zero‑tolerance ban on AI‑generated abuse and the tools used to create it.
The IWF and NCA have launched new guidance and a national campaign to help parents and carers protect children's images from AI manipulation, following a sharp rise in AI-generated child sexual abuse material. The advice covers image consent, safer photo sharing, talking to children about deepfakes, and how to report concerns to the police or CEOP.
IWF analysts uncover platform hosting chatbot “characters” designed to let users simulate sexual scenarios with child avatars.
The IWF’s latest AI report exposes rapidly escalating harms to children as the EU moves to scale back the tools that detect and remove child sexual abuse material online. The charity warns that the EU must act urgently to criminalise AI‑generated abuse and preserve essential detection systems before risks intensify further.
AI is becoming more powerful by the day, and the challenge of keeping children safe is growing with it.
IWF CEO Kerry Smith calls for complete EU ban of AI abuse content at high-level meeting of global experts in Rome