Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)

We bring together people who care about child protection online. We work with the tech community, governments, and law enforcement agencies globally. We come together to talk and act with one voice, to fight child sexual abuse imagery online, to influence policy and to be part of the solution. Could you join us? Find out more at https://lnkd.in/db-tXCTx.

The Internet Watch Foundation is at the forefront of the global fight against child sexual abuse online. Each and every day, our analysts work tirelessly to remove these harmful images and videos from the web. Last year alone, we took action against 312,030 reports containing this criminal content. Learn more about our work by visiting our website: iwf.org.uk.

💬 Parents & Carers: It’s time to talk about nudes. Worried about what your children are sharing online? The digital world can be overwhelming, but you can help your child navigate it safely. Check out our Think Before You Share campaign for tips and resources to help protect your children online. 🌐👨👩👧👦 👉 Visit: thinkbeforeyoushare.org.

In 2025, our analysts saw a “frightening” 26,362% rise in photo-realistic AI videos of child sexual abuse, often including real and recognisable child victims. Criminals are using the improving technology to create more of the most extreme Category A imagery. Read more at https://lnkd.in/djgG7P_G

February is Payroll Giving Month. Payroll Giving lets you donate from your salary before tax, so your gift goes further at no extra cost to you. By giving a small amount straight from your salary, you’re helping fund the analysts and technology that remove child sexual abuse imagery and reduce further harm. Set up Payroll Giving this month! See our guide and support our work to protect children online: https://lnkd.in/d4A-p7HJ.

The protection of children in the EU has been turned into a political football. The proposal emerging from the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) risks weakening the interim framework that currently allows companies to detect and report child sexual abuse online. This is tantamount to instructing companies to shut their eyes to harm. Restricting detection tools means: • fewer victims identified, including those in urgent need of rescue • less abusive material removed • further harm through endless revictimisation Europe has already seen the consequences of legal uncertainty. We must not repeat the same mistake. We urge policymakers to return to the negotiating table and maintain full protections while a permanent framework is finalised. Read more in our CEO Kerry Smith’s recent blog: https://lnkd.in/eDrSuDYU

Yesterday, our CEO Kerry Smith, gave evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Children’s Online Safety as part of its inquiry into AI and children’s online safety. We were pleased to contribute insights from our hotline in response to Question 2 of the inquiry, which focuses on the current and emerging risks AI poses to children online. During the session, we highlighted the growing realism of AI-generated CSAM, the increasingly extreme nature of this material, and the exponential pace at which it is developing and spreading. While we welcome the UK Government’s commitment to protecting children amid rapid technological change, and its efforts to address gaps in existing legislation, mandatory model testing for AI tools and systems must be introduced to ensure child safety is embedded by design from the very start.

Sextortion is a growing threat that can happen to anyone - no matter your age or sex. If you are experiencing sextortion, you are not alone, and support is available. Don't let fear or shame prevent you from getting help. 🚫 ➡️ Report this crime to the authorities. ➡️If you’re under 18, visit Report Remove to have your images & videos blocked. ➡️Visit our website https://lnkd.in/dDbfBxuA for guidance and support.

We don’t always know if the children we see are ever rescued from their abuser. This is true of Ana. Ana is sadly one of many, many children we see every single day. A victim of grooming – robbed of her right to a carefree childhood. We can only hope that she now has the support and care she deserves. The children in the pictures and videos of sexual abuse we see every day are real. The suffering captured in this imagery and the knowledge that it could be shared can haunt a victim for life. We care. No child should suffer repeated abuse and victimisation by having the recordings of their abuse shared time and time again. Our work relies on compassionate and resilient staff members who are highly trained and carefully supported. Read more about their crucial work at https://lnkd.in/d5rNBn3m.

📣Calling lawyers and Trust & Safety professionals working in online safety and children’s privacy. Together with Pinsent Masons, we are hosting a half-day online conference exploring the most pressing legal and compliance challenges in protecting children online. Join our expert-led panels covering: 🔎 Age assurance – implementation challenges 🤖 AI – risks and opportunities for children ⚖️ Litigation and enforcement trends 📅 3 March ⏱️3 - 6:30pm GMT 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/etWcDGwK