CRITICAL THREAT · Child Safety and Online Exploitation

Urgent: Protecting Children from Online Explicit Image Sharing

The Federal Trade Commission has issued an urgent alert regarding the unauthorized sharing of explicit images of children online, including AI-generated deepfakes. This activity is a serious criminal offense that requires immediate reporting to law enforcement and proactive steps to remove the content from digital platforms.

10/15/2026Social media networksMessaging applicationsFile-sharing websitesAI-powered image generation platforms

Warning signs

Discovery of explicit images or videos of a child on social media or websites
Receipt of threats to distribute explicit images of a child unless payment is made
Evidence of AI-generated deepfakes using a child's likeness
Unsolicited contact from strangers attempting to entice a child into sexual activity

What you should do

Report the incident immediately to local law enforcement or the FBI
Submit a report to the NCMEC CyberTipline at https://report.cybertip.org/
Use the NCMEC 'Take It Down' program at https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/ to help remove images
Contact the online platform hosting the content to request immediate removal
Avoid paying any 'blackmail' or 'forensic' services that claim they can remove content for a fee

The unauthorized distribution of explicit imagery involving minors, whether authentic or synthetic (AI-generated deepfakes), constitutes a severe violation of law. Perpetrators often use these materials for exploitation, extortion, or harassment. Parents and guardians are advised to act immediately by reporting the incident to criminal law enforcement and utilizing specialized resources to facilitate the rapid removal of such content from online platforms. It is critical to avoid engaging with third-party services that promise quick fixes for a fee, as these are often fraudulent.

Sources

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/10/did-someone-share-explicit-image-your-child-online-take-these-steps https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline https://www.justice.gov/criminal/media/1437006/dl?inline