Research published on Monday found that there is widespread awareness of the issue among UK schools, though few protections are in place. Of 250 teachers surveyed, nearly a quarter said that their school has already been affected.<\/p>\n
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said criminals had targeted schools by creating child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of real pupils using AI tools. They then threatened to publish the images if they did not receive money.<\/p>\n
The UK\u2019s National Crime Agency (NCA) issued a recommendation to educational institutions to remove any identifiable pictures of children from their websites and social media accounts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is absolutely vital that schools nationwide rethink their policy around online images of their pupils,\u201d child psychotherapist Dr Catherine Knibbs told The Independent.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have seen first-hand the impact this sort of crime can have on children. If you run a school, now is the time to act \u2013 rethink your photography policy before it is too late. And while you do so, use it as an opportunity to remind parents and guardians of the risks too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some schools have already taken action by blurring faces of pupils, while a UK start-up unveiled a new safeguarding tool on Monday as a countermeasure to the emerging trend.<\/p>\n
![\"Aidos\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01-Home-Before-After-Updated-1024x828.png\")
Aidos\u2019s child protection tool creates an AI-generated version of online photos featuring school pupils (Aidos)<\/p>\n
The platform, developed by child safety advocates at Aidos, uses artificial intelligence<\/a> to make pupils in school photographs unidentifiable when posted online.<\/p>\n Award-winning security software you can trust. Always.<\/p>\n Get All-in-One Protection for Your Digital Life.<\/p>\n![\"Bitdefender](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bitdefender3.png\")
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