What is an AI deepfake and how is it used to target children?

An AI deepfake is a synthetic image or video generated or manipulated by artificial intelligence to look real. Criminals use AI tools to take ordinary photos of children — from social media, school pages, or family posts — and generate fake intimate or sexually explicit images. These images are then used to blackmail the child or their family, or shared to humiliate and cyberbully. The child does not need to have sent any real images for this to happen.

Can my child be targeted even if they never sent any images?

Yes. This is the most important thing parents need to understand. AI deepfake tools can generate fake intimate images from any photo — a school photo, a profile picture, a selfie shared on TikTok or Instagram. Your child does not need to have sent anything. Any publicly visible image of your child can potentially be used. This means children who have never engaged in any risky behaviour can still be targeted.

What should I do if someone claims to have intimate images of my child?

Do not pay. Do not delete messages — they are evidence. Screenshot everything. Report immediately to MCMC (aduan.skmm.gov.my or 1800 888 030) in Malaysia, or PDRM Cyber999 (cyber999.com.my). Internationally, report to CEOP (UK: ceop.police.uk) or NCMEC CyberTipline (cybertipline.org). Use the TAKE IT DOWN tool (takeitdown.ncmec.org) to get images removed from platforms. Contact the IWF (report.iwf.org.uk) for rapid removal of images.

How can I protect my child from deepfakes?

Set all social media accounts to private and review what photos are publicly visible. Avoid posting clear face photos of your child on public accounts — even parent accounts. Talk to your child about the risk so they understand that any photo could potentially be misused. Teach them to come to you immediately if anyone threatens them with images, and reassure them they will not be in trouble.

AI deepfakes targeting children — parent guide

Urgent Online threat International

AI deepfakes targeting children

AI tools can now generate fake intimate images of a child using a single ordinary photo from social media — without the child ever sharing anything. These fabricated images are used to blackmail, humiliate, and silence victims.

Updated July 2026

All ages at risk — even young children

Rapidly escalating since 2023

8.0

SEVERITY

out of 10

What are AI deepfakes and why are children at risk?

Deepfakes are synthetic images, videos, or audio created by artificial intelligence — designed to look indistinguishable from real content. In the context of child safety, AI deepfakes are being used in two primary ways: to generate fake intimate or sexually explicit images of children from ordinary photos, and to create convincing fake identities for grooming.

The critical point parents must understand: your child does not need to have sent any real images for this to happen. AI tools available for free online can take a single clear photo — a school portrait, a TikTok video frame, a family photo posted on Facebook — and generate a fabricated explicit image. These images are then used to blackmail, humiliate, or coerce the child.

In 2025, NCMEC received over 7,200 reports involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material — up from 4,700 in 2024 and growing rapidly. The EU's investigation into Grok AI found it had generated over 3 million sexualised images, including approximately 23,000 depicting apparent minors. In Malaysia, cases are being prosecuted under the Computer Crimes Act 1997, Section 507 of the Penal Code (criminal intimidation), and the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for AI-generated CSAM.

This threat also intersects directly with sextortion: criminals increasingly use deepfakes as their opening threat, removing the need to trick a child into sharing real images at all.

Who is most at risk?

Any child with photos online

Even one public photo is enough

TikTok & Instagram users

Video frames used to generate fakes

Girls 13–17

Highest reported victim group for deepfake NCII

Children in family posts

Photos shared by parents can be used

Warning signs to watch for

Your child receives a threatening message claiming someone has intimate images of them — even though they never sent any

Sudden extreme distress or withdrawal after receiving a message or notification

Classmates or peers circulating manipulated or humiliating images at school or in group chats

Your child requests that you delete all photos of them from social media or family accounts

Unknown accounts sending images or video files to your child with threatening captions

Demands for money, gift cards, or more images under threat of sharing fabricated content

Refusal to attend school, sudden social withdrawal, or expressed shame about something they cannot explain

Do not pay. The images may be entirely fabricated — paying confirms you will pay again and escalates demands. Do not delete evidence. In Malaysia, report to MCMC (aduan.skmm.gov.my or 1800 888 030) or PDRM Cyber999 (cyber999.com.my). Use TAKE IT DOWN (takeitdown.ncmec.org) to submit image hashes for platform removal. Contact IWF (report.iwf.org.uk) for international image removal.

What you can do — step by step

Review and lock down your child's online presence — now

Set all accounts to private. Remove or archive face-forward photos from public profiles, including your own parent accounts. A criminal only needs one clear photo to begin. This isn't about shame — it's about removing the raw material.

Have the conversation before a crisis hits

Tell your child plainly: "AI tools can fake images of anyone — you are not at fault if this happens to you. Come to me immediately if anyone threatens you with images, even images you know are fake. I will not punish you." Children who know they will not be blamed are far more likely to come forward early.

If threatened: do not pay — screenshot everything

Do not send money or further images. Do not delete any messages, accounts, or images — they are evidence. Screenshot everything including usernames, timestamps, and conversation history before reporting.

Report to MCMC, PDRM, and the platform

In Malaysia: file a report at aduan.skmm.gov.my or call MCMC on 1800 888 030. Also report to PDRM Cyber999 at cyber999.com.my. Report the perpetrator's account directly on the platform where contact was made — use the "Report" function and select intimate image abuse or blackmail.

Use TAKE IT DOWN to get images removed

NCMEC's TAKE IT DOWN tool (takeitdown.ncmec.org) lets you submit a digital hash of images so platforms can detect and remove them automatically — without anyone at NCMEC viewing the images. It works for both real and AI-generated content and is free and confidential. Also report to the IWF at report.iwf.org.uk.

Seek emotional support for your child

Being targeted by deepfakes causes real trauma — shame, fear, and social withdrawal are common. Contact your GP or school counsellor. In Malaysia, Talian Kasih (15999) provides free 24/7 support. Reassure your child that the images are fake, that they are not at fault, and that this will be resolved.

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