Child advocates warn public vs uploading images to AI platforms

Government officials and child rights advocates on Tuesday warned the public about the risks of uploading photos to artificial intelligence (AI) platforms amid viral online trends, particularly images involving children.

Plan International Philippines Executive Director Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang said that while joining online trends may seem harmless, the practice can be “alarming, dangerous, and scary.”

Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said AI-generated child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) have increased by 1,325%.

“The other side of AI is really beneficial—not just to children, but also to adults. But the other side is a dark threat to children. It’s something lurking there, waiting to victimize our children,” Tapales said.

“A benign photo posted by parents can be taken by ill-intentioned individuals and converted into nude images or videos. There are AI-generated child sexual abuse materials like that,” he added.

The warnings were issued during the kickoff of the Safer Internet Day Celebration 2026.

Tapales said some AI-generated materials do not involve identifiable children, but still pose serious ethical and legal concerns.

The CWC official also noted that online enticement of children in cyberspace increased by 192% from 2023 to 2024, sadistic online exploitation rose by 200% during the same period, and child sexual trafficking increased by 55% globally.

Tapales stressed that legislation must keep pace with rapid technological developments.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Center chief Police Brigadier General Maria Shiela Portento warned that children may also be groomed through online gaming platforms.

“One method is grooming through in-game platforms such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Mobile Legends. They use a so-called gift tactic, where they top up a child’s account or give in-game currency,” Portento said.

“After grooming the child, they entice the child to move to private messaging apps, where the conversations continue,” she added.

The PNP said it is closely coordinating with foreign law enforcement agencies on cases involving online sexual abuse.

Justice Assistant Secretary Michelle Lapuz, meanwhile, urged the public to help authorities combat such crimes.

“If you know of any incidents happening in your neighborhoods, communities, or schools, please report them to the authorities,” Lapuz said.—MCG, GMA Integrated News