Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)

The IWF are the biggest Hotline in Europe. Globally, we provide a safe space for over 2.6 billion people to report suspected child sexual abuse images and videos online. 🌎 If you stumble across this content, don't ignore it, report it to us at iwf.org.uk/report/ and help us remove this content for good.

The internet should be a safe space for children and adults alike, but each year, we are finding more child sexual abuse imagery than ever before. Our analysts are determined to put an end to child sexual abuse and create a safer internet for all, and you can help us. If you stumble across this imagery online, report it to us safely and anonymously at iwf.org.uk/report/.

On the one year anniversary of the Illegal Harms Codes under the Online Safety Act, we brought together UK partners working to tackle online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) for a roundtable on the Government’s proposed under 16 social media ban. Our discussion focused on two priorities: 1️⃣ Alternative interventions for safeguarding children from risks of technology-facilitated CSEA 2️⃣ Strengthening the Online Safety Act and its enforcement to confront current and emerging threats At this critical moment for children’s safety online, interventions that offer children deeper and longer-term protection must be prioritised. More to follow. @NSPCC @NCA_UK @Lucy_Faithfull_ @savechildrenuk @IJM, The CSA Centre, The Online Safety Act Network

The online world is constantly changing, and the techniques offenders use to reach children are ever-changing. The challenges we face can often feel daunting. But with your support, we can continue to expand our reach, invest in tech-for-good, and deliver critical services to our global network of Members to help prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material online. Learn more about our work in partnership and join us today:iwf.org.uk/about-us/who-w….

Defending young people online and stopping child sexual abuse imagery from being shared across the internet is a tough battle. We believe in giving our people the very best weaponry, the most advanced technical tools to fight for what’s right. Learn more & join us as a Member today: iwf.org.uk/our-technology/.

Our CEO Kerry Smith joined experts from @gibsondunn @nvidia and Tech Coalition, for a panel discussion at #GTC26 on Safety Design, Detection, and Responsibility in the Age of AI. Ensuring the safety of children and young people online is a global effort that requires of strategic partnerships between child protection, industry and law enforcement. Thanks to all attendees for joining the conversation and stay tuned for a recorded version of the session, which will be available soon.

Sexual extortion is a growing threat that can happen to anyone - no matter your age or sex. If you're experiencing sextortion, you're 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 iwf.org.uk/resources/sext… for guidance and support.

When an @IWFhotline analyst saw the pictures she stopped in her tracks. She recognised the girl's face instantly. Read how a school uniform crest was key to helping an 'unnamed' victim whose sexual abuse had been being spread online for at least 5 years. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

A girl who appeared in hundreds of child sexual abuse images and videos has been tracked down after years of searching, by one of our world-class analysts. "It was wonderful to hear she is now being given help," said Mabel, the analyst who identified the girl. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

£10 a month can help support our Hotline to remove a single webpage hosting child sexual abuse imagery. One webpage can contain hundreds or thousands of images or videos documenting the abuse of children. By supporting the IWF, you help ensure our analysts can continue identifying this content and working with partners around the world to have it removed quickly. Regular donations help us keep this vital work going. Could you give £10 a month to help protect children online? Donate today at iwf.org.uk/donate.

Meta will stop end-to-end encryption for private messages on Instagram after criticism from groups including the @IWFhotline which said encryption makes it difficult to prevent child sexual abuse material spreading. euronews.com/next/2026/03/1…

Our CEO Kerry Smith, said in response to global research published today by @Ofcom and Protect Children on online child sexual abuse and exploitation: “What is clearly shown by this report is just how dangerous exposure, even accidentally, to child sexual abuse material can be, and how the availability of such material puts children at greater and greater risk both on and offline. “We cannot ignore how AI child sexual abuse material reinforces sexual interest in children, contributes to the normalisation of violent abuse, and may increase the risk of contact offending. Tech companies must make sure new tools and platforms are built with safety at their core. And Governments and regulators must now act to enforce this principle.” ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/…

In 2025, we discovered 3,440 AI-generated videos of child sexual abuse – an increase of 26,362% on the previous year, when only 13 such videos were found. These results contribute to making 2025 a record-breaking year, with our analysts taking action to remove more child sexual abuse imagery than ever before in the IWF's 30-year history. Read more: iwf.org.uk/news-media/new…

Would EU policymakers be able to explain to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse why they are giving the green light to the continued circulation of imagery depicting the violence they suffered? The EU’s failure to extend the temporary derogation under ePrivacy puts fundamental safeguards against the spread of abuse imagery in extreme jeopardy. Without urgent agreement before 3 April, platforms may lose legal certainty to detect and report child sexual abuse material. Negotiators @Europarl_EN must return to the table immediately. Children cannot afford the price of the failure to protect them. Read more at iwf.org.uk/news-media/sta…

"Working at the IWF is no ordinary job. Every day, we’re on the front line of the global fight against child sexual abuse material. It’s demanding, intense work carried out by our in-house team. “It’s real people doing this very difficult work – not machines or technology,” says our Head of People, Samantha O’Byrne. Read more at iwf.org.uk/annual-data-in…

Our high-quality data and technical services prevent the upload, storage, distribution and trade of child sexual abuse imagery around the world, and we provide knowledge and support to law enforcement, tech companies, governments and regulators to create safe online environments. By working together, we can stop child sexual abuse online. Learn more at iwf.org.uk/membership/ben….

In response to @NSPCC release today, our CEO Kerry Smith, said the data “should be yet another wake-up call”, adding: “Mandatory introduction of on-device protections will protect children from unsolicited nude imagery." independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…

“The harms facing children are very real & can have the most devastating impact on victims & survivors," said @IWFhotline CEO Kerry Smith. Under-18s can use the Report Remove helpline to take action to stop nudes & sexual images of them spreading online. telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/1…

You don’t want to think about it, but your kids are sharing all sorts online. It’s awkward, but you need to talk about it. If you want to keep your kids safer online, we’ve got resources to help you take on the awkward topics – and to get them to think before sharing nudes: thinkbeforeyoushare.org/parents-and-ca….

How can @Europarl_EN claim to want to protect children online while adopting a position that stops detection of new abuse material? Restricting detection to suspected individuals reverses the investigative process, renders the technology obsolete, and makes the internet less safe. The upcoming trilogue negotiation will decide: Will the EU preserve tools that identify victims? Or create gaps perpetrators can exploit? The extension's purpose is simple: maintain current systems with privacy safeguards while permanent rules are negotiated. Weakening it by removing unknown child sexual abuse material and grooming detection dismantles what's working. The European Child Sexual Abuse Legislation Advocacy Group joined forces with @DOTEurope to call on policymakers to act. Read more: doteurope.eu/wp-content/upl…