AI Misuse, Fraud & Deepfakes
What Should Parents Do If Someone Misuses Their Child's Photo?
हिंदी में पढ़ेंIf someone misuses a child's photo, support the child first, stop further circulation and seek appropriate help. You do not need to prove whether AI was involved before reporting harm. Preserve safe information such as links and account details, but never download, save or forward sexual images involving children.
A pupil tells a parent that classmates are sharing an altered picture. The parent says, “You did the right thing by telling me; this is not your fault.” They avoid reposting it in a parent group to ask whether it is real. That prevents another round of exposure.
What should we do immediately?
Listen without blaming the child or demanding repeated descriptions. Ask whether there are threats, blackmail or an immediate physical danger. In an emergency, contact emergency services or local police rather than waiting for a school meeting.
Do not pay a blackmailer or ask the child to negotiate. Help them avoid further contact while you seek appropriate assistance. Tell a trusted school safeguarding contact when pupils are involved, without distributing the harmful material.
What information can be recorded safely?
Write down the platform, URL, username, date, time and any non-explicit threatening text. Keep relevant complaint reference numbers. For ordinary non-sexual misuse, follow police or platform guidance about evidence.
For nude or sexual content involving anyone under 18, including manipulated content, do not make copies or forward the image to parents, teachers, search tools or this website. eSafety's school-imagery guidance specifically cautions against saving and sharing such material. AI-S16: Read the source
Where should Indian families report?
Use the platform's reporting tools and India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Contact the appropriate local police for threats or suspected offences; the portal does not replace emergency help. The Ministry of Home Affairs describes the portal as a national cybercrime reporting mechanism. AI-S20: Read the source
Where a child sexual offence may be involved, do not treat a school-only complaint as sufficient. POCSO Section 19 provides for reporting knowledge or apprehension of such an offence to the Special Juvenile Police Unit or local police. Seek their guidance promptly. AI-S22: Read the source
What support may the child need afterwards?
Reduce repeated exposure, agree on a trusted adult to contact and ask the school about preventing further sharing. Offer a qualified counsellor if the child is distressed; AI companions are not a replacement for support.
Review privacy settings together without suggesting the child caused the abuse. Do not promise instant takedown or that every copy can be removed. Keep the focus on safety, reporting, dignity and continuing support.
Where can you check the details?
- AI-S16: Sharing school photos and videos in the age of AI and deepfakes
- AI-S20: National Cybercrime Response Mechanism
- AI-S22: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Section 19
What can you read next?
Want to check the sources?
These notes explain what was checked for the article. The date is an information check, not a publication date.
- AI-S16: Sharing school photos and videos in the age of AI and deepfakes
Australian eSafety Commissioner
Where to look: Identification clues; collect safe evidence; never save/share child sexual imagery
How it was checked: Official text retrieved
Use names, URLs, handles and times for harmful child sexual material, not copies of that material.
- AI-S20: National Cybercrime Response Mechanism
Ministry of Home Affairs, Press Information Bureau
Where to look: NCRP, financial-fraud reporting, 1930 and State/UT police
How it was checked: Official text retrieved
No promise of refund, FIR or investigation outcome; current mechanisms confirmed by this 2026 release.
- AI-S22: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Section 19
India Code, Government of India
Where to look: Chapter V, Section 19: Special Juvenile Police Unit/local police
How it was checked: Official indexed excerpt; direct download unavailable
Official indexed statutory passage inspected; direct PDF retrieval timed out. Do not reduce statutory reporting to a school-only complaint.
Next planned check: