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Start calmly: “Have you heard about AI being used to make fake sexual images of people? You can always talk to me if you see one or if someone uses your photo.” Explain that AI can manipulate an ordinary photo to make a fabricated nude or sexualized image, and that fake does not mean harmless. The child is not responsible for another person creating or sharing it.

What AI-generated sexual images are—and why they matter

UNICEF defines deepfakes as images, video, or audio generated or manipulated with artificial intelligence to look real. “Nudification” refers to tools that alter clothing in photographs to fabricate nude or sexualized images. A person may use a real, ordinary photo as the starting point; the resulting sexual image can be fabricated even though the child’s identity or image is involved.

That distinction does not erase the harm. UNICEF says, “When a child’s image or identity is used, that child is directly victimised.” The responsibility belongs to the person who made, requested, or shared the image—not to the child whose photo was used.

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UNICEF, ECPAT and INTERPOL reported that at least 1.2 million children across an 11-country study disclosed that images of them had been manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes in the preceding year. This was not a direct count or a universal prevalence rate: the finding drew on nationally representative household surveys of internet-using children aged 12–17, with estimates modeled using population and internet-use data. UNICEF’s 2026 statement describes the finding.

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How to begin the conversation

Choose a calm moment and use words suited to the child’s age and understanding. You do not need a perfect script. Leave room for the child to tell you what they know or what happened, without demanding details or showing surprise, anger, or blame.

  • “Have you heard people can use AI to make fake sexual images from someone’s photo?”
  • “If you see something like that, or if someone uses your photo, you can tell me. You won’t be in trouble for asking for help.”
  • “What have you heard about this? Is there anything you’re worried about?”

These are conversation starters, not a one-size-fits-all script. Let the child use their own words; listen before deciding what needs to happen next.

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If a child says an image was made or shared

  1. Pause and collect yourself. Australian eSafety Commissioner guidance advises caregivers to take a moment before responding. A steady first response can make it easier for a child to keep talking.
  2. Listen and reassure. Thank them for telling you. Say clearly that they are not to blame for someone else’s actions and that you will work out the next steps with them.
  3. Ask only what you need to understand immediate safety. Invite the child to explain in their own words. Avoid turning the conversation into an interrogation or asking them to prove what happened.
  4. Consider who else should help. If the image or sharing involved a school, sports club, or another organized setting, consider contacting an appropriate staff member or responsible adult so they can review safety measures.
  5. Find the right local route for further help. Reporting procedures, laws, and support services depend on where you live. Use official local child-safety or law-enforcement guidance rather than assuming one reporting route applies everywhere.

These steps are informed by Australian eSafety Commissioner guidance for caregivers. The page addresses a child discovering pornography online; its advice to collect yourself and consider informing relevant adults when exposure happens in an organized setting is useful here, but it is not a jurisdiction-neutral reporting procedure for AI-generated images.

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What families and schools can do

Privacy and online-safety conversations still matter, but conventional prevention alone cannot stop someone from fabricating sexual content with AI. UNICEF recommends informing and supporting caregivers, teaching students about deepfake and nudification risks, encouraging children to report concerns, and training educators to respond. Children should know which trusted adults they can approach at home and at school.

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Schools and clubs can make their response safer by ensuring students know how to report concerns and staff know how to respond without blaming or shaming the affected child. UNICEF’s February 2026 issue brief discusses these prevention and response measures: Artificial Intelligence and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

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Keep the door open

A single conversation may not settle every concern. Let the child know they can return to you later, even if they are unsure whether an image is real or worried about what might happen after telling an adult. The essential message is simple: a fabricated image can still cause real harm, and the child deserves support rather than blame.

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  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Tamper-proof Built-In Parental Controls Monitor and manage your kids cell phone remotely from the Thrive Parent App (iOS & Android). Block or limit social media, Set screen time limits, track online activity. No technical skills required - easy setup.
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