The FTC published a consumer alert on Oct. 7 for parents whose child's explicit image has been shared online. It says possessing or sharing explicit images of children can be a serious crime, including AI-generated deepfakes, and that parents should report the person responsible and get platforms to remove the images quickly.
To report the person, the FTC lists three routes: the local police department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline or 1-800-843-5678, and the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or a local field office. NCMEC analysts make a report available to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
To get the image taken down, the FTC says the Take It Down Act requires covered platforms to give parents an easy way to request removal of explicit images of a child. With an account, use the report option on or near the image, often in the three-dot menu. Without one, check the platform's help center. If a covered platform does not remove the image within 48 hours, report it to the FTC at TakeItDown.ftc.gov.
The alert also points to NCMEC's Take It Down service, which creates a hash, a digital fingerprint of the image, to help stop it from appearing on other sites. The FTC says acting quickly can make a meaningful difference, and its TakeItDown.ftc.gov page links to support and guidance.