Sharjah's Child Safety Organisation is warning parents about AI-generated fake images being used to bully, threaten and blackmail children. Families are being urged to review privacy settings, limit access to children's photographs and report suspicious activity. Suspected child abuse or exploitation can be reported through the UAE-wide 800 700 helpline.

The details

Parents across the UAE have been urged to pay closer attention to their children's online safety as artificial intelligence makes it easier to produce convincing fabricated images.

Sharjah's Child Safety Organisation warned that AI-generated explicit images can be used for bullying, harassment, exploitation and blackmail.

Even when an image is entirely fabricated, the damage to a child's reputation, confidence and psychological well-being can be substantial.

The organisation advises families to review social media privacy settings, limit access to children's personal photographs and maintain open conversations about their online experiences.

If a child is targeted, parents should offer support, avoid complying with threats and report the incident to the relevant platform and authorities.

Families should preserve appropriate information such as usernames and threatening messages, but should not download or circulate explicit images of children.

Where bullying involves classmates, schools should also be informed.

Suspected child exploitation or abuse can be reported through the nationwide 800 700 helpline. Creating or circulating illegal explicit material involving children can carry serious criminal penalties under UAE law.