UK Children Face Surge in Explicit Deepfake Images, Watchdog 2026

The rising number of UK children reporting explicit deepfakes of themselves has alarmed safety experts, as AI tools make such abuse easier to create. In the first six months of this year, the Report Remove service—operated by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and NSPCC—received 420 reports from children about manipulated intimate images, already exceeding the 397 reports logged in all of 2025. This surge underscores a growing crisis where benign photos can be transformed into harmful content without the child's consent.

Why Explicit Deepfakes of Children Are Increasing

The rapid advancement of AI image generators and “nudification” tools has lowered the barrier for creating realistic, explicit deepfakes. Dan Sexton, chief technology officer at the IWF, explains that anyone can take a harmless image of a child from social media and use AI to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM). “If someone can take a benign image of a child from the internet and create child sexual abuse material with it, 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.

This reality means that even children who never share their own photos are at risk, as others may post pictures of them. The IWF has noted that the majority of manipulated images reported in 2025 and 2026 were so severe that they met the threshold for CSAM, indicating the extreme nature of the abuse.

How Report Remove Helps Children

Report Remove is a free online tool that allows under-18s to report intimate images of themselves, including deepfakes, to get them blocked from the internet. Due to the surge in manipulated content, the service has added a checkbox to its submission form specifically for deepfaked images. This helps prioritize cases and streamline removal efforts.

The service works by hashing the image and using a unique digital fingerprint to block it across platforms, preventing further distribution. However, Sexton warns that “everyone in the world is at risk” because AI can generate new variations faster than moderators can remove them.

Key Statistics and Trends

The data shows a 6% increase in just six months, but the actual number may be higher as many cases go unreported. The IWF expects this trend to continue as AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible.

What Parents and Guardians Can Do

While no one can fully prevent their child from being targeted, there are steps to reduce risk and respond effectively. Parents should maintain open conversations with children about online safety and the permanence of digital images. Encourage children to keep privacy settings strict and avoid sharing identifiable photos publicly.

If a child discovers a deepfake of themselves, they should immediately use Report Remove and also report the content to the platform where it appears. Keeping evidence and contacting local law enforcement can also be crucial. The IWF advises not to engage with the creator or share the image further.

Key Takeaways for Protecting Children

• Report immediately: Use Report Remove to block deepfake images and prevent spread.
• Strengthen privacy: Set all social media accounts to private and limit photo sharing.
• Educate on AI risks: Teach children that even innocent photos can be manipulated.
• Monitor online activity: Regularly check for new apps or tools that may generate deepfakes.
• Seek support: Contact NSPCC or law enforcement for emotional and legal help.

FAQ

As AI technology continues to evolve, the battle against explicit deepfakes of children requires vigilance from parents, tech companies, and policymakers. The IWF urges platforms to implement proactive detection tools and for governments to strengthen laws against AI-generated CSAM. By staying informed and acting quickly, we can help protect the most vulnerable from this digital threat.