Written by Alice Njoki
The UK has introduced laws to protect children by making it illegal to use artificial intelligence (AI) to create child sexual abuse material .These laws target people who create, share, or possess AI tools that generate abusive images, with offenders facing up to five years in prison. Additionally, owning guides that teach how to exploit children using AI will result in up to three years in jail. Websites that promote or share such harmful content will also face severe penalties.
This move comes in response to a sharp rise in AI-generated Child Sexual Abuse Material, with cases increasing by 380% in 2024. These images are often used to harm or blackmail children, creating long-lasting trauma. By criminalizing this behavior, the government aims to stop offenders from using advanced technology to exploit vulnerable children.
The new laws also give border officials more power to inspect the devices of suspected offenders entering the UK. This ensures that harmful material created abroad does not reach children in the country. Experts have praised the legislation as a vital step in keeping up with technology and protecting children from new forms of online abuse.
These changes send a strong message that exploiting children is unacceptable. They aim to make the internet safer for children by deterring offenders and giving law enforcement better tools to combat abuse. As technology evolves, this law ensures children’s safety remains a top priority.
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