Children in the UK are reporting more fake and manipulated images of themselves online, new figures from child-safety groups show.
Report Remove received 420 reports between January and June 2026. That already exceeds the 397 reports recorded during all of 2025.
Some cases involved AI-generated or digitally altered images. The Internet Watch Foundation said some material met the legal threshold for child sexual abuse material.
Reports climb during first half of 2026
Report Remove is run by the Internet Watch Foundation and Childline. The service helps children report sexual images of themselves found online.
The hotline began tracking manipulated-image reports in 2025. It recorded 397 reports during that first full year.
However, the service received 420 reports in the first six months of 2026. The rise shows how quickly the problem is growing.
The reports include images altered with AI tools. They also include fake images made to appear as though they show the child.
Actioned cases pass last year’s figure
By the end of June, Report Remove had reviewed and resolved 286 reports involving suspected manipulated imagery.
That is higher than the 268 reports actioned across all of 2025. The number of reports is rising, while cases are also becoming more complex.
The Internet Watch Foundation said some images met the legal threshold for child sexual abuse material. It did not provide details about individual reports.
Deepfake tools can make false images appear convincing. This can cause distress, privacy concerns and reputational harm for victims.
NSPCC calls for stronger AI safeguards
The NSPCC described the rise as alarming. It said the trend was also sadly predictable.
Rani Govender, associate head of policy at Child Safety Online and the NSPCC, said technology companies need to do more.
She called on companies to build stronger safeguards into AI products. These protections should prevent abusive images from being created in the first place.
The figures add to wider concerns around generative AI tools. Child-safety groups want developers and platforms to reduce harm before content spreads.
Children need quick support
Children who find a manipulated image of themselves online should tell a trusted adult. They should also report the content through the relevant platform.
Report Remove gives children in the UK a dedicated reporting route. The service helps them seek the removal of intimate images found online.
The rise in child deepfake reports shows why fast reporting matters. Early action can limit the spread of harmful material.
It also increases pressure on platforms and AI developers. Better safeguards are needed to protect children from this form of abuse.
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