London (Web Desk) — The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned parents to exercise extreme caution when sharing children’s photos and videos on social media, as artificial intelligence can be used to alter such content and exploit it for illegal activities.
According to foreign media reports, experts say that even ordinary family photos can be transformed into realistic fake and inappropriate material after falling into the hands of cybercriminals, posing serious risks to children’s privacy and safety.
Reports indicate that the growing trend of sharing children’s photos and videos on social media, known as “sharenting,” has raised new concerns regarding digital safety. Parents often share pictures to preserve memorable moments; however, the same content can sometimes become a source of misuse by criminals.
The National Crime Agency said that criminals are using artificial intelligence to convert real images into fake photos and videos, which can be used to create illegal material related to child exploitation.
According to Internet Watch Foundation data, around 3,500 AI-generated fake images and videos involving children were reported in 2025, compared to only 13 such cases in 2024, showing a rapid increase in this dangerous trend.
Experts have advised parents to keep social media accounts private, limit children’s photos to trusted individuals, and use privacy features such as “Close Friends” to improve children’s online safety.