Disturbing AI Trend Producing Fake Nude Images of Irish Kids

A disturbing trend has emerged among schoolchildren in Ireland, where young students are generating fake nude images of their classmates using free artificial intelligence (AI) apps. This alarming phenomenon, described as “terrifying,” has gained momentum through the accessibility of sophisticated technology on mobile devices.

The apps, which have been promoted on social media platforms, allow users to upload a photo and digitally remove clothing, resulting in pornographic images that can be easily shared online. Women and girls represent a staggering 99 percent of the victims affected by this trend. According to Women’s Aid, no individual whose image is available online is safe from such misuse, highlighting the vulnerability of even high-profile individuals and ordinary schoolchildren alike.

Maria Walsh, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), has voiced concerns over the implications of this trend. “We have young boys, particularly school boys, generating this content for fun, unaware of the serious consequences,” she stated. Walsh emphasized that these actions contribute to the creation of child sexual material that is freely available online, which can have dire effects on the victims’ future careers, mental health, and concepts of consent.

The rapid rise of deepfake technology has compounded the issue, with instances reportedly doubling every six months. The European Commission has indicated that approximately 98 percent of deepfakes consist of pornographic material, with the majority of victims being women and girls. Walsh noted that the production of AI-generated child sexual material has surged by 245 percent since last year.

Despite these alarming statistics, there remains a significant legal gap. Currently, there are no laws in place that specifically criminalize the generation of child sexual abuse material using AI technologies. This void presents a considerable challenge for parents and guardians who are grappling with the implications of such content being created and shared among children.

Recent reports indicate that advertisements for “nudification” apps have been targeting Irish users on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, even as Meta has attempted to remove them for violating community standards. These applications exploit generative AI to create highly realistic nude images of individuals, raising serious ethical concerns.

“Women’s Aid flagged that Meta was promoting these free and easy-to-use ‘nudify’ apps,” Walsh explained. “These apps allow users to upload photos of individuals, erase their clothing, and disseminate the resulting images across various platforms.” Parents across Ireland are increasingly alarmed as incidents of deepfake images being shared among schoolchildren have surfaced in locations such as Galway and Donegal.

According to data from Graphika, millions of users access over 100 nudification sites each month. The potential for abuse and peer victimization is alarmingly high, leading to calls for immediate legislative reform. Walsh argued that policymakers must take more decisive action to address the loopholes that currently exist in the legal framework regarding AI-generated content.

In June, the European Parliament passed legislation aimed at criminalizing AI-generated child sexual abuse material, including stipulations around the development, possession, and distribution of such content. The proposed laws will also impose harsher penalties for offenders and eliminate the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse crimes across all EU member states.

Despite these advancements, Walsh expressed disappointment over the slow pace of progress in addressing these critical issues. “Real children have been victims of the EU’s failure to keep up with technological changes,” she said. “We need to ensure that the legislation we create is comprehensive and adaptable, addressing all forms of abuse, both digital and analog.”

The Children’s Ombudsman, Dr. Niall Muldoon, echoed these sentiments, stating that the easy accessibility of such technology is a major concern. “It is difficult to comprehend any possible need for these apps when the risk of abuse and sexual exploitation of children is so high,” he remarked, referencing discussions held during recent roundtable sessions on AI and children’s rights.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the dangers posed by deepfakes, which can facilitate new forms of cyberbullying and expose them to harmful online practices such as grooming. The misuse of nudification apps allows minors to create and share explicit images of their peers, leading to distressing consequences.

Authorities urge anyone aware of intimate images being distributed online, whether deepfakes or otherwise, to report such incidents to An Garda Siochana. Walsh emphasized the importance of education and support for affected individuals. “If your young person is involved, reach out for help from organizations like Jigsaw and report it to the authorities immediately,” she advised.

With ongoing negotiations surrounding the revision of the Combating Child Sexual Abuse Directive, Walsh stressed the need for urgent action. “We cannot afford to ignore the massive threat posed by AI. If we fail to implement consistent penalties for AI-generated child sexual abuse material, we risk harming countless young people,” she cautioned.

As discussions continue within the EU, Walsh highlighted the critical role that Ireland will play during its upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union starting on July 1, 2026. “We must ensure that we are proactive in addressing these issues and advocating for stronger protections for children,” she concluded.