UK Children Report Surge in Explicit AI Deepfakes of Themselves 2026

UK children are facing a surge in explicit deepfake images of themselves, with 420 reports filed in the first half of 2025 alone, according to safety watchdog Report Remove. This alarming trend highlights how AI tools are making it easier than ever to create manipulated sexual content, putting every child at risk online.

Rising Deepfake Reports Among UK Children

The Report Remove service, operated by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and NSPCC, has seen a rapid increase in images digitally altered using AI and nudification tools. In just six months, reports from children under 18 have already exceeded the 397 reported in the entire 2025, signaling an accelerating crisis.

Dan Sexton, IWF's chief technology officer, warns that anyone can take a benign photo of a child from social media and transform it into child sexual abuse material (CSAM). “There is nothing that child can do to stop it from happening apart from preventing anyone from taking pictures of them – or not putting pictures of themselves online,” he said.

Why AI Makes This Worse

AI image generators have become widely accessible, allowing even non-technical users to create realistic deepfakes. The Report Remove form now includes a checkbox for children to flag deepfake content, reflecting the growing scale of the problem. The IWF confirms that most manipulated images reported in 2025 and 2026 are severe enough to meet CSAM thresholds.

Comparison: Traditional CSAM vs. AI Deepfake CSAM

Key Takeaways for Parents and Guardians

• Monitor children's online presence and limit public sharing of photos.
• Teach kids about the permanence of online images and privacy settings.
• Use reporting tools like Report Remove if manipulated images are found.
• Advocate for stronger AI regulations and platform accountability.

What Can Be Done to Protect Children?

Experts urge parents to have open conversations about digital safety. Children should be encouraged to report any suspicious images immediately. Tech companies must implement proactive detection of deepfake CSAM, while lawmakers need to enforce stricter penalties for creators.

“Everyone in the world is at risk,” Sexton added, emphasizing that no child is immune. The IWF continues to monitor and remove such content, but prevention requires collective action from families, educators, and policymakers.

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