AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Images Surge 360% Worldwide
AI technology is being used to generate and distribute child sexual abuse material at scale, with documented cases in Spain and Peru where students were victimized. Internet Watch Foundation reported a 360% increase in sexually explicit images of children aged 7-10 and identified thousands of websites hosting AI-generated child abuse content.
What happened
According to Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), AI is being used to manipulate images of minors from around the world, causing a 360% increase in published sexual photos of children aged 7 to 10 years.
In Spain, a dozen girls aged 11 to 17 at a school reported to authorities that manipulated nude images of them were circulating on classmates' mobile phones. In Lima, Peru, at least 12 students aged 13 to 16 had intimate photos manipulated with AI that were subsequently purchased by sexual predators.
IWF identified 20,000 websites in the first half of 2022 containing self-generated child sexual abuse images produced through coercion of children aged 7 to 10.
Reported impact
Girls and adolescents are the primary victims, with 50% of AI-manipulated images reported to IWF in 2022 depicting minors aged 11 to 13.
Criminals are distributing millions of manipulated sexual images of minors to trafficking networks operating worldwide. Despite expectations that manipulated images could be distinguished from real ones, recent cases and advancing technology demonstrate significant impacts on children's physical and mental health.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.