A Tipping Point in Online Child Abuse

January 16, 2026

TL;DR

The Internet Watch Foundation investigated a record 312,030 reports of confirmed child pornography in 2025.
There was a 7% increase in the overall volume of child porn detected online since 2024.
AI-generated child sex abuse material, particularly videos, has seen a dramatic increase.
In 2025, the IWF found 3,440 AI-generated videos of child sex abuse, compared to just 13 the previous year.
Nearly two-thirds of the AI-generated videos were classified as 'Category A' (most severe), and 30% were 'Category B'.
AI can be used to manipulate real photos and videos or train models on existing child porn, thus victimizing real children.
The proliferation of AI-generated images has been rising since at least 2023.
Open-source AI video-generating models, often with fewer safeguards, contribute to the problem.
AI companies like OpenAI and Google have initiatives to prevent AI-enabled child sex abuse, but safeguards can be bypassed.
OpenAI reported over 75,000 depictions of child sex abuse or endangerment on its platforms in the first half of 2025, more than double the previous period.
Elon Musk's AI model, Grok, was reportedly used to generate nonconsensual sexualized images, including of children.
The crisis is expected to worsen due to the rapid pace of AI development and the slow pace of prosecution.
AI's ability to abuse children may increase as models become more advanced.

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