New evidence confirms the scale of this fast-growing threat: in a UNICEF, ECPAT and INTERPOL study across 11 countries, at least 0+ children disclosed having had their images manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes in the past year.
In some countries, this is 1 in 25 children — one child in a typical classroom:
*Study findings as cited by UNICEF, February 2026. View sourceArtificial Intelligence is changing the way we create, communicate and interact online. But the same technology that can generate impressive images, videos and voices can also be misused to cause serious harm.
One of the most disturbing examples is the misuse of AI to create sexualised or abusive images of children — a growing form of AI-based cybercrime that every parent and educator needs to understand.
UNICEF has highlighted this growing threat and warned about the increasing use of AI-generated and manipulated sexualised images involving children.
This article has been prepared for cybersecurity awareness and educational purposes with reference to UNICEF's statement "Deepfake abuse is abuse."
Read the UNICEF Statement →What Is a Deepfake?
A deepfake is media that has been generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence to make a person appear to say or do something that never actually happened.
Images
AI-generated or manipulated photographs.
Videos
Faces and identities digitally altered in videos.
Voice
AI-generated voices that imitate real people.
Synthetic Content
Completely artificial content designed to appear authentic.
Deepfake technology can have legitimate applications in entertainment, education and creative industries. However, its misuse can lead to fraud, harassment, impersonation, misinformation and exploitation.
When AI Is Used to Exploit Children
One particularly serious form of abuse involves manipulating photographs of children to create fabricated sexualised images.
UNICEF has identified this as an escalating threat. The organisation has highlighted research showing that children are increasingly concerned about AI being used to create fake sexual images or videos involving them.
An AI-generated image can still cause real emotional, social and psychological harm to the person whose identity or photograph has been misused.
"But It Isn't Real" Is Not an Excuse
A common misconception is that if an image is digitally generated, nobody has actually been harmed.
The fact that an image is AI-generated does not make the resulting abuse unreal.
If someone's photograph, face or identity is taken and manipulated into abusive content, the consequences can include:
- Fear and anxiety
- Humiliation and embarrassment
- Bullying and social isolation
- Damage to reputation
- Threats and blackmail
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of control over personal images
The "Nudification" Problem
AI tools can be misused to alter ordinary photographs and create fabricated nude or sexualised images.
The original photograph may have been completely innocent. A normal photograph taken at school, during a family event or shared on social media can potentially become the target of digital abuse.
Why Children Are Particularly Vulnerable
Children increasingly use smartphones, social media, gaming platforms and online communities. A single photograph can travel far beyond its original audience.
What Parents Can Do
Talk Openly About AI
Explain that AI can create or manipulate images, videos and voices. Children should understand that something appearing online is not necessarily authentic.
Review Privacy Settings
Check who can see photographs, send messages, tag the child or interact with their social media account.
Teach Children Not to Respond to Threats
If someone threatens to publish an image, do not negotiate. Preserve evidence, stop communicating and tell a trusted adult.
Encourage Early Reporting
Children should know that they will not be blamed for being targeted. Early reporting allows adults to provide appropriate support.
What Students Should Remember
Your online photograph is part of your digital identity.
- Do not accept unknown followers or friend requests blindly.
- Avoid sharing personal photographs with strangers.
- Keep social media profiles appropriately private.
- Do not forward abusive or manipulated content.
- Never participate in creating abusive content involving another person.
- Save evidence if you encounter threats or blackmail.
- Tell a trusted adult if something feels wrong.
What Schools and Colleges Can Do
Cyber safety education should now include AI-generated abuse and deepfake risks. CyberDefender's school and college workshops cover exactly this.
Digital Consent
Teach students to respect other people's images and identities.
Responsible AI
Promote ethical and responsible use of AI tools.
Deepfake Awareness
Teach students that images, videos and voices can be manipulated.
Reporting
Make reporting mechanisms clear and accessible.
Support
Create a non-judgmental environment for victims to seek help.
What Technology Companies Need to Do
The responsibility cannot rest entirely with children and parents. AI developers, technology platforms and governments also have an important role in preventing digital abuse.
AI Safety Is Everyone's Responsibility
Technology itself is not automatically good or bad. What matters is how it is designed, deployed and used.
AI can help students learn, help businesses work more efficiently and help people create amazing things.
But when technology is used to exploit, threaten or humiliate another person, the consequences must be taken seriously.
The Most Important Message
A manipulated image may be generated by a machine. But behind that image can be a real person, a real family and real emotional consequences.
The question is not only:
The better question is:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to create a deepfake image of someone in India?
Creating or sharing sexualised deepfake images, especially of minors, can attract action under the IT Act and Indian criminal law covering obscenity, defamation and child protection. If you or someone you know is targeted, report it at cybercrime.gov.in or call the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930.
How can I tell if an image is a deepfake?
Look for unnatural skin texture, inconsistent lighting or shadows, blurred edges around the face or hair, and mismatched blinking or lip movement in videos. When in doubt, don't share it — verify with the person directly or a trusted adult first.
What should a child do if someone threatens to share a fake image of them?
Stop communicating with the person immediately, save all evidence (screenshots, usernames, messages), tell a trusted adult right away, and report the account on the platform. The child will not be blamed for being targeted.
Our Message
As AI becomes part of everyday digital life, cyber awareness must evolve with it.
Reference
This CyberDefender article has been prepared for cybersecurity awareness and educational purposes with reference to:
UNICEF: "Deepfake abuse is abuse"
UNICEF statement addressing the growing threat of AI-generated sexualised images of children.
Read the original UNICEF publication →Disclaimer: This is an independent CyberDefender awareness article. It is not an official UNICEF publication and does not represent UNICEF's views beyond the information specifically attributed to its published statement.
