Internet Watch Foundation: Dealing With Improper Images
Marilyn Hawes of Freedom From Abuse writes about the alarming increase in improper and AI-generated images being circulated by young people
IWF Conference
In May 2024, I attended a conference hosted by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), where they unveiled their latest report covering discoveries up to the end of December 2023. The findings are alarming.
Here is a summary of their key points:
- AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Images: AI is a present and pressing issue. The IWF found 228 URLs providing guidance on creating illegal images, along with a dark web manual instructing perpetrators on using a "nufifying tool" to alter images and blackmail children.
- 2023 Statistics: There were 392,665 reports to the IWF, of which 275,652 were related to CSA.
- Rapid Removal Capability: The IWF can remove images within one minute. On average, a web page displaying CSA content appears every 114 seconds.
- Sextortion Handbook: Offenders are selling a 60,000-word, 20-page "Sextortion handbook" online, which teaches perpetrators how to commit acts of Sextortion—illegal in the UK.
- Increase in Teenage Boys Involvement: There has been an eightfold increase in teenage boys involved in Sextortion since 2022.
- Under-6s Exploitation: There is a significant rise in children under six being manipulated and coerced into sexual activities categorised as CAT A (the most severe level of CSA material).
- 92% Self-Generated Content: 92% (9 out of 10 reports) of self-generated content was created through manipulation and coercion for sexual acts. Among these, 2,401 cases involved children aged 3 to 6 years (Category A).
- Category A: 28% of images involved children aged 3 to 6 years, often with another child.
- Increase in Category A: There has been a 23% increase in Category A content, which has doubled since 2020.
- 1 in 5 images viewed are Category A.
The IWF’s efforts and findings highlight the urgent need for action against online child exploitation and the growing threat posed by emerging technologies like AI.
Age Breakdown (2022)
- Category A: 78% of images involved children aged 2 years and under, 37% aged 3 to 6 years, and 45% aged 10 years or under.
- Category B: 20% involved children aged 2 years and under, 28% aged 3 to 6 years, and 19% aged 7 to 10 years.
- Category C: 2% involved children aged 2 years and under, 25% aged 3 to 6 years, 59% aged 7 to 10 years, and 67% aged 11 to 13 years.
OFCOM Findings
- Smartphone Usage: Two-thirds of 10-year-olds have smartphones.
- Mobile Phone Usage: 39% of 3 and 4-year-olds use mobile phones.
- Exposure to Violent Content: Children often see violent content for the first time at primary school age.
- Adult Profiles: One-fifth of 8 to 17-year-olds have adult profiles, and one-third of 8 to 15-year-olds have profiles listing their age as 16.
NCA – National Crime Agency Concerns
There is significant concern about acts of sex-tortion, which are carried out not for gratification but for quick financial gain. Perpetrators can begin blackmailing victims within an hour of initial contact. These acts are often orchestrated by organised crime groups based primarily in West Africa and some in Southeast Asia.
Methods
- Methods: Perpetrators use hacked accounts to quickly engage in explicit communications, sharing pictures of themselves first, and then manipulating victims into sending compromising images.
- AI Manipulation: Real images can be altered using AI, leading to blackmail.
- Victim Demographics: 91% of victims in the UK are teenage males aged 14 to 18 years.
What to Do
- Report: Contact CEOP, NCA, IWF, or the police.
- Don't Pay: Block and stop contact.
- Preserve Evidence: Avoid deleting anything, as this serves as evidence.
- Impact: The real impact on young victims can be severe, including instances of self-harm due to the shame and trauma of their experiences.
Parental Guidance
- Device Management: Remove devices from bedrooms and cover webcams.
- Communication: Talk to your child about these issues.
- Education: We offer courses on these topics, providing case studies and direct communication that goes beyond typical teaching methods. Contact us for more information.