AI & Deepfakes

AI-generated images, voice cloning, chatbots, deepfake bullying and "nudification" apps — what families need to know, and how to respond.

Please do not upload, email or paste suspected child sexual abuse material to this site. Report it directly to the IWF, CEOP or police instead.

1. What it is

AI can now create realistic fake images, videos and voices in seconds. This is used to bully (deepfake "humiliating" videos), to scam (fake celebrity endorsements, cloned voices of family members), and in the worst cases to create sexualised images of people without consent — including children, through deceptive "nudification" apps. Creating or circulating sexualised images of anyone under 18 is illegal in the UK, whatever the technology.

2. Warning signs (five to watch)

• A video or audio of someone saying something they'd never say.
• "Celebrity" or "influencer" investment offers or giveaways — always fake.
• A call or message from a "relative" in trouble asking for money urgently (voice may be cloned).
• Apps promising to "undress" photos or edit people into images.
• Chatbots or AI "friends" asking personal questions or for photos.

3. What a child can do

• Check before sharing — is this real? Reverse-search images, ask a trusted adult.
• Never create or share fake images of anyone, especially sexualised ones — it's illegal and deeply harmful.
• Don't engage with AI "friends" that ask for personal details or photos.
• Never send photos to chatbots or strangers, even "in private".
• Tell a trusted adult if a deepfake of you or a friend appears.

4. What a parent/carer can do

• Agree a family code word — if someone calls claiming to be you, ask for it (voice cloning defeats normal phone checks).
• Talk about consent — no one should create or share images of anyone without permission.
• Report deepfakes to the platform; if sexualised images of an under-18 are involved, report to IWF and CEOP.
• Keep an eye on new apps — "nudification" and AI-editing apps should not be on a child's device.
• Model scepticism — talk about checking claims before sharing, as a family habit.

5. Report & support

• Sexualised fake images of an under-18: report to IWF (iwf.org.uk) and CEOP.
• Deepfake bullying/harassment: report to the platform and Report Harmful Content.
• AI scam (voice clone, fake celebrity): report to Action Fraud — 0300 123 2040.
• Immediate danger: 999.

🚨 Seen a fake image of a child?

Report to IWF immediately — do not share or re-save it.