Police Urge Parents to Protect Kids Amid Rising AI Porn Threat

As incidents of children and teenagers discovering fake, AI-generated pornographic images of themselves increase, law enforcement in Calgary is advising parents on proactive measures to protect their children. Staff Sgt. Mark Auger from Alberta’s Internet Child Exploitation team emphasizes the importance of privacy settings on social media to prevent unauthorized access to personal images.

Advisories for Parents and Youth

Auger recommends that parents encourage their children to keep social media profiles private and limit their online connections to individuals they know personally. He stated, “As soon as you accept them as a friend or contact or a connection, you’re letting them into your house.” This advice follows the recent arrest of a 17-year-old boy charged with multiple offenses, including the creation and distribution of child sexual abuse materials. The accused allegedly used AI technology to generate explicit images of teenage girls from various Calgary high schools and shared this content on social media platforms.

Police have not disclosed the identities of the victims or the schools involved, citing protections under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Auger highlighted the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology, stating that the growth of AI capabilities outstrips their ability to monitor and regulate these new threats.

Growing Concerns and Legal Implications

The case in Calgary reflects a growing trend across Canada, with similar incidents reported in Winnipeg and Guelph, Ontario. In these instances, the individuals involved were not charged, raising questions about the legal frameworks available to address such offenses. A report from the Internet Watch Foundation noted a dramatic increase in AI-generated sexual content, from just two identified cases in the first half of 2024 to nearly 1,300 in the same period of 2025.

Legal experts are now debating how best to approach these cases in court. Lara Karaian from the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Carleton University argues that while accountability for perpetrators is essential, the legal response must be proportionate to the nature of the crime. She suggests that the existing laws regarding non-consensual distribution of sexual images, enacted in 2015, could provide a more suitable framework for addressing AI-generated pornography involving minors.

Karaian cautions against applying severe sexual abuse charges to minors involved in such cases, as the consequences can be disproportionately severe, including mandatory registration on sex offender lists and compliance with DNA bank orders. She advocates for a legal approach that recognizes the distinct nature of AI-generated content compared to traditional sexual violations.

As the landscape of digital threats continues to evolve, authorities and legal experts alike are calling for a comprehensive dialogue on how to best protect young individuals while ensuring justice is served appropriately. This report highlights the urgent need for parents, educators, and law enforcement to work collaboratively in fostering safer online environments for children.

This article was first published on December 9, 2025, by The Canadian Press.