Hello Reader,

I set up Google Alerts for “AI Porn” and “CSAM” (Child Sexual Abuse Material), and I’d like to share what I learned with you.

First, the frequency was pretty much everyday on these alerts. That’s definitely increased over the past several years.

Because I wanted to better understand what’s happening at the intersection of AI, pornography, and child exploitation. I started tracking these topics to see what stories and warnings were making headlines.

What I found reinforced that technology is changing faster than our conversations about online safety.

Here are my concerns and then I’ll give you my best advice for keeping kids safe.

What parents need to know to keep informed

1. Predators have new ways to manipulate children.

AI can help offenders create fake images, impersonate others, and threaten children. Sextortion can begin with an innocent-looking online conversation, gaming interaction, or social media connection.

2. AI-generated images involving minors are not a harmless prank.

​AI-generated sexual images of minors are not harmless just because they aren't real photographs; they can still constitute child sexual abuse material or CSAM. Calling them fake, a joke, or a prank doesn't make the exploitation or potential harm any less serious.

3. Your child's digital footprint matters.

Photos posted publicly, personal information, usernames, and other online details can potentially be exploited and misused.

AI can be used to aggregate seemingly random posts and photos, over many years, to pinpoint locations and create surprisingly accurate profiles of you and your kids.

4. Children need to know they can come to us.

If someone creates a fake image, threatens them, or tries to exploit them, children may be too embarrassed to talk with someone. How many sexploited teens have taken their own lives because they were too embarrassed or afraid to tell an adult?

Thankfully, we’re not powerless–here are what parents can do right now.

5 Steps to protect kids from today’s digital dangers

1. Talk about AI. Explain that technology can create and manipulate images of real people.
2. Review apps and websites. Keep tabs on what your children are using and who they interact with. I know this feels like a part-time job!
3. Check privacy settings. Limit who can view and access their photographs. Teach kids to be very careful and think twice about what they share with others.
4. Discuss sextortion. Teach children to recognize threats, manipulation, and online coercion. A real friend does not threaten you.
5. Keep communication open. We need to communicate this clearly: "You are not in trouble for telling us. We will help you." Make sure children know they won't be blamed or automatically punished for reporting something frightening. Our Good Pictures Bad Pictures books are a great way to start and continue this conversation.

If your child is targeted

✔️ Stay calm, reassure your child, and preserve relevant messages, usernames, and other non-explicit evidence.

✔️ Do not forward or redistribute explicit images.

✔️ Call your local law enforcement’s non-emergency phone number if your child is not in immediate danger. You can also file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

✔️ Report suspected child exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at CyberTipline.org.

The big takeaway

We cannot parent today's children using yesterday's understanding of technology.

AI is changing how images are created, manipulated, and weaponized. We don't need to thoroughly understand every new technology, but we do need to understand their power and the risks they pose to our children.

Awareness is not paranoia–it's protection.

Please share this with another parent, teacher, or anyone who works with children. Thank you!

Warmly,

Kristen

P.S. The Heal Young Minds 6.25 CE Hours virtual conference is almost sold out! Just a few spaces left for this Friday’s Conference and registration closes on Wednesday at midnight.

Anyone who wants to learn more about how to assess and treat children harmed by pornography is welcome to attend! Register here and I’ll see you there!

Help your child build an internal filter that can help shape their future. Resources like our Good Pictures Bad Pictures books give parents a simple, age-appropriate way to talk with kids about pornography before exposure happens.
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