AI-generated intimate images are now a school safety issue in Canada
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection says youth reports of non-consensual intimate-image distribution rose in 2025, including cases involving AI. A fake image can still cause real harm and needs a real response.
A sexualized image does not have to be authentic to harm a child. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection says youth reports of non-consensual distribution of intimate images rose from 436 in 2024 to 527 in 2025, including reports involving AI-generated images.
TL;DR for parents
- The Canadian Centre for Child Protection updated its school guide in February 2026 to address image-based abuse involving AI.
- Cybertip.ca received 436 youth NCDII reports in 2024, including seven involving AI.
- In 2025, youth reported 527 NCDII cases, including 19 facilitated by AI.
- An edited or generated image can still cause humiliation, threats, bullying, isolation and pressure to send more material.
- Adults should avoid demanding proof that an image is real before helping. Support the child, preserve relevant details and use official reporting/support routes.
What has changed
Non-consensual distribution of intimate images, or NCDII, can involve a real image shared without permission, an edited image, or an image created using AI. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection says its updated Youth NCDII: A Guide for Schools is designed to help personnel respond when images are shared, whether the images are real, altered or AI-generated.
The reported numbers are not a complete count of all incidents. They are reports received by Cybertip.ca involving children and youth, and reporting patterns can change as young people, families and schools recognize what is happening.
Why “it is fake” is not an adequate response
A generated image can be used to impersonate a student, humiliate them in a group chat, threaten distribution or pressure them into further contact. The child may be dealing with classmates, followers and adults who believe the image is real, or who use its existence as a weapon even while knowing it is fabricated.
Adults should not make the child prove authenticity before offering protection. The first questions are: Are you safe right now? Who has seen or threatened to share it? Is anyone demanding money, more images or an in-person meeting?
What families and schools can learn
- Image abuse includes altered and AI-generated material. The response should be based on the harm and the non-consensual sharing, not only on whether a camera captured the original image.
- Speed matters. Images can be copied and reshared quickly, so early support and reporting are important.
- Shame can block disclosure. Do not punish a child for taking, sharing or receiving an image before you understand the situation.
- Adults should coordinate carefully. Do not circulate the image to “show” other parents or staff. Use the official guide and reporting routes.
What to do if an image is shared or threatened
I believe you. You are not in trouble. We will focus on stopping the harm and getting you support.
- Check immediate safety and ask about threats, blackmail, self-harm or an adult trying to meet the child.
- Do not forward, download or upload the image. Do not ask the child to send it to you.
- Preserve non-image details such as usernames, profile links, messages, dates and threats.
- Use NeedHelpNow.ca for practical support when an intimate image involving someone under 18 has been shared or threatened.
- Report suspected online child sexual exploitation to Cybertip.ca. Call 911 for immediate danger and call or text 9-8-8 if the young person is in emotional crisis or thinking about suicide.
Sources and further reading
- Canadian Centre for Child Protection: Youth NCDII guide updated for AI-generated deepfakes
- NeedHelpNow.ca: Support for youth affected by intimate-image abuse
- Cybertip.ca: Online harms and reporting information
Quinte Protects explains sourced information for prevention and community awareness. It does not investigate active cases or replace police, Cybertip.ca, victim services, crisis care or specialist organizations.