The Urgent Need for AI Ethics in Child Safety

In recent years, the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in facilitating child sexual abuse has emerged as a deeply troubling and rapidly escalating issue. This alarming trend demands urgent attention from governments, tech companies, parents, and society at large.

While AI has brought about transformative advancements across industries, its darker applications are now being weaponised by predators to exploit vulnerable children online.

The Scope of the Problem

AI-facilitated child sexual abuse is no longer a fringe concern — it’s a global crisis.

Predators are leveraging sophisticated tools to groom, extort, and victimize minors on an unprecedented scale. Among the most insidious tactics is sextortion , where scammers use AI-generated profiles — often posing as attractive young women — to lure victims into sending explicit images. Once obtained, these images are used to blackmail children, demanding money or additional content under the threat of public exposure.

One particularly disturbing development is the use of AI to create deepfakes or hyper-realistic images of children who do not exist. These fabricated visuals can be indistinguishable from real photographs, making it harder for law enforcement to identify actual victims. Additionally, offenders modify existing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) using AI, subtly altering images to evade detection while perpetuating harm. Such manipulations serve another sinister purpose: providing cover for perpetrators, who may claim that incriminating images are merely AI-generated when they are, in fact, authentic.

Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) refers to any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, including photographs, videos, or computer-generated images that are indistinguishable from real children. These materials document the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors, serving as permanent records of their victimization.        

Long-Term Effects on Victims

The psychological toll on child victims of sextortion and other forms of online exploitation is devastating. Survivors often grapple with feelings of shame, guilt, and betrayal, which can lead to long-term mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many struggle with trust issues and self-esteem, impacting their relationships and personal growth well into adulthood. It’s crucial to recognise that these crimes leave scars far beyond the digital realm—they shatter lives.

How Parents Can Protect Their Children

Parents play a critical role in safeguarding their children from online predators, but they cannot shoulder this responsibility alone.

Here are some actionable steps families can take to mitigate risks:

1. Active Involvement : Stay engaged with your child’s digital life. Know which apps they use, who they interact with, and what they share online. Regularly review privacy settings and monitor activity without invading their sense of autonomy.
2. Education and Awareness : Teach children about the dangers of online predators and how to spot red flags. Discuss hypothetical scenarios—such as receiving inappropriate messages or feeling pressured to send explicit photos—so they’re equipped to handle uncomfortable situations. Reinforce that compliance with threats only escalates the danger.
3. Healthy Technology Habits : Model responsible device usage by setting boundaries around screen time. Encourage breaks from screens to foster meaningful connections offline. Establish rules like keeping devices out of bedrooms and avoiding late-night browsing.
4. Parental Controls and Reporting Tools : Consider using parental control software to filter harmful content and track online behaviour. Equip children with knowledge of how to block, report, or end suspicious communications immediately.
5. Avoid "Sharenting" Risks : Be cautious about posting photos or videos of your children on social media, even within private accounts. Predators can scrape and misuse these images to create fake profiles or deepfakes. Opt for minimal sharing and prioritise platforms with robust privacy protections.
6. Open Dialogue : Create a safe space where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences. Reassure them that they won’t face judgment or punishment if they confide in you about something troubling. If a child falls victim to sextortion, emphasise that they are not at fault and guide them through reporting the incident to authorities.

How can individuals report suspected CSAM online?

Individuals who encounter suspected CSAM online are strongly encouraged to report it immediately. Reporting mechanisms vary by country but generally involve specific agencies or hotlines dedicated to handling such cases.

In the U.S., federal law mandates that online platforms report any known CSAM to the CyberTipline operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which serves as a central clearinghouse for these reports. Some countries have established specialised email channels or hotlines funded by governmental bodies to facilitate the swift reporting and removal of CSAM hosted domestically or internationally.

It's crucial never to share the content oneself, even while attempting to make a report, due to the sensitive nature of the material.

The Role of Governments and Tech Companies

While parental vigilance is essential, systemic change is equally vital. Governments must strengthen regulations to curb the misuse of AI and hold perpetrators accountable. Export controls on high-powered chips and restrictions on access to AI tools should be rigorously enforced to prevent bad actors from exploiting technology.

Tech companies bear a significant responsibility as well. Platforms must invest in advanced detection algorithms to identify and remove CSAM swiftly. Transparency reports detailing efforts to combat online abuse should become standard practice.

The misuse of AI in child sexual abuse represents a profound moral failure—one that requires collective action to address.

So, here’s the reminder once again: Social media is not a safe place—it never was, and it never will be.

This doesn’t mean we should abandon these platforms altogether, but rather approach them with caution, awareness, and education. Parents, educators, and policymakers must work together to equip young users with the tools they need to navigate this digital landscape responsibly. By fostering open conversations, setting boundaries, and advocating for stronger safeguards, we can mitigate some of the inherent risks — but vigilance remains key.

"I don't know how they can sleep at night, knowing what they have unleashed upon children," Social Media Victims Law Center founder Matt Bergman, who's representing the families bringing the suit, told Futurism in an interview.

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References:

1) Report: Artificial Intelligence used for online child sex abuse, FOX 26 Houston, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qndqwdqMjhA

2) How AI Tools Can Be Abused by Predators to Target Children Online, World News Channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5sT1R6L-LY

3) Generative AI and Child Sexual Abuse: Safety by Design, Databricks, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEMHNxplOIY

4) TBI: AI being used in child sex crimes, WKRN News 2, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6DB6dYgltA

5) How AI is being used as a tool to sexually exploit women and children, Collective Shout, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI04oe1a8GA

6) Paedophiles are using AI to generate lifelike images of child sexual abuse ?? Headliners, GB News, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WKce8ZU5Gg

7) Engaging with ML/AI: Combating Child Sexual Abuse | Rebecca Portnoff, Women in Data Science Worldwide, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r668tFVSkno

About Jean

Jean Ng is the creative director of JHN studio and the creator of the AI influencer, DouDou. She is the Top 2% of quality contributors to Artificial Intelligence on LinkedIn. Jean has a background in Web 3.0 and blockchain technology, and is passionate about using these AI tools to create innovative and sustainable products and experiences. With big ambitions and a keen eye for the future, she's inspired to be a futurist in the AI and Web 3.0 industry.

AI Influencer, DouDou's Portfolio

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