CRITICAL THREAT · Child Safety and Online Exploitation

Protecting Children from Online Explicit Image Sharing

The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert regarding the unauthorized sharing of explicit images of children online, including AI-generated deepfakes. Such actions are considered serious crimes, and immediate reporting to law enforcement and specialized organizations is required.

10/14/2026Social media platformsMessaging applicationsFile-sharing websitesGeneral internet forums

Warning signs

Discovery of explicit images or videos of a child online
Presence of AI-generated deepfake imagery depicting a child
Unauthorized distribution of private images of a minor

What you should do

Report the perpetrator immediately to local law enforcement or the FBI at tips.fbi.gov
Submit a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) via their CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org
Contact NCMEC by phone at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
Report the platform hosting the content if they fail to remove the material promptly

Possessing or sharing explicit images of children, including AI-generated deepfakes, is a serious criminal offense. If you discover that an explicit image of a child has been shared online without consent, it is critical to take immediate action to report the perpetrator and seek assistance. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the FBI provide centralized reporting systems to address child sexual exploitation and the distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Sources

https://consumer.ftc.gov/node/337561 https://report.cybertip.org/https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/cenp