Risks
AI-generated child sexual abuse material
Sexual images of minors made or altered with AI. They are illegal under US law, should be reported to NCMEC, and should not be kept or forwarded.
- Parents
- Educators and school leaders
- Policymakers and staff
This is general information, not legal advice.
What parents should know
AI-generated child sexual abuse material is illegal. A fake does not make it allowed. If you encounter it, do not open it further, do not store it, and do not send it to anyone to ask if it counts. Report it to NCMEC's CyberTipline. This page does not describe the images or how they are made.
On this page
What is AI-generated CSAM?
Child sexual abuse material is sexual imagery of a minor. Federal law covers visual depictions, and AI-made or AI-edited imagery of this kind is not a loophole. NCMEC's CyberTipline is the US place to report it, including material that was generated or altered. You do not need to be sure of the software used.
Why AI-generated CSAM matters
People hesitate because the image might be generated and they are unsure of the law. Report anyway when a minor is sexualized. NCMEC is built to sort the report. A family inbox is not. Keeping a copy so you can decide later creates a new illegal file on your device.
How HeyOtto helps
HeyOtto is not a place to create, test, or store this material. All sexual content is off limits for all HeyOtto accounts. Sexual content involving minors is outside what Otto is for, and a parent can read chats and set topic limits. If you see any type of CSAM material in HeyOtto report it immediately in the app chat as well as at support@heyotto.com
HeyOtto support is not the CyberTipline. HeyOtto strictly prohibits the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Any user who creates CSAM on the app will be banned and the content will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
If a child is in distress after seeing something, stay with them and use 988 if they are in crisis.
For families
Try freeFAQs
Is a fully fake image still illegal?
Treat sexual imagery of minors as illegal even when AI made it, and report it to NCMEC. Do not keep examples while you look up the statute. This page is general information, not legal advice, and it will not describe the content.
How do I report?
Use NCMEC's CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org. Report what you know about where you saw it. Do not attach it to social media, email, or a school group. If a child is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.
What if a student made one?
Stop the activity, do not destroy evidence in a way that interferes with a report, and contact NCMEC and your school's emergency process. Do not have the class discuss the image. Support the students involved without a viewing.
Sources
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Law entries are reviewed every quarter.
This is general information, not legal advice.