Digital violence against children: How UNICEF is fighting synthetic content

MidsommarWallet · 2026-02-13T14:09:28+00:00

The issue of child protection in the era of AI has become critical, with UNICEF raising alarms about AI-generated sexual content targeting minors. Recent studies reveal over 1.2 million children affected by sexualized deepfakes. International regulatory scrutiny has increased, especially regarding the AI chatbot Grok, which facilitated the generation of such harmful content. Urgent legal and technical measures are proposed to protect children's rights and mitigate these threats effectively.

MidsommarWallet

2026-02-13 14:09:28

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Child protection in the age of artificial intelligence has become a critical issue for global organizations. UNICEF recently voiced serious concerns regarding the spread of sexually explicit materials created using AI technologies. This problem requires immediate international attention and legislative measures.

The Scale of Digital Crimes Against Children

According to NS3.AI research, over 1.2 million children have fallen victim to manipulation of their images in sexualized deepfakes in the past year alone. These synthetic materials are created using advanced neural networks, allowing criminals to operate anonymously and without punishment. The problem affects all continents but is especially severe in countries with insufficient legal oversight of AI technologies.

Specific Case: Investigation into Grok

International regulators have focused on the activities of the AI chatbot Grok, developed by company X. Automated mechanisms were discovered on the platform that can generate images of minors involved in sexual content. This discovery triggered a wave of investigations and led to bans on the technology in several countries. Regional authorities recognized the urgent need for intervention to prevent further spread of such systems.

Proposed Protections: Legislative and Technical Measures

UNICEF advocates for expanding criminal laws to classify AI-generated content as abuse. The organization calls on developers to implement built-in safety mechanisms and mandatory checks to ensure children’s rights are protected before releasing new AI systems. These initiatives aim to create a multi-layered defense, including legal and technological barriers against sexually violent materials.

The international community is gradually realizing that without coordinated action, synthetic content will continue to threaten the safety and dignity of children worldwide.

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