Sharp rise in intimate image abuse of children 'a wake-up call', advocates say

CyberSafeKids and Irish Internet Hotline, supported by Community Foundation Ireland, announced the 'It’s not the end of the world' initiative after recent Hotline data showed a 66% increase in reports of intimate image abuse last year.

The number of reports of intimate image abuse, particularly among children and young people, should be seen as a “wake-up call”, advocates said, as a new awareness campaign launches on Tuesday.

CyberSafeKids and Irish Internet Hotline, supported by Community Foundation Ireland, announced the “It’s not the end of the world” initiative after recent Hotline data showed a 66% increase in reports of intimate image abuse last year. Younger age groups are exposed to this form of online abuse, it showed.

“Intimate image abuse is not rare, and it is affecting children as well as adults,” said Irish Internet Hotline chief executive Mick Moran.

“The fact that 13% of reports to us this year came from under-18s shows the scale and seriousness of the problem.

“While our 96% removal rate proves action can be taken, removing images is only part of the solution. 

The fear, humiliation, and psychological harm caused by threats to share intimate images can be devastating for young people, even if the images are never posted publicly.

The Hotline data suggested 862 reports of intimate image abuse were received in 2025, with children and young people under 18 accounting for 13% of all cases, while those aged 18-24 accounted for 35%.

Of these reports, 53% involved images shared without consent, while 47% were threats to share images. The majority of cases (70%) happened outside of the typical social media or mainstream platforms. Some 211 cases were referred to gardaí.

As part of its campaign, the groups have created an online guide for young people, including advice on what to do in scenarios such as being asked to send an image, if someone threatens to share an image, or if they have shared an image. Its advice includes contacting Hotline, which can help with getting images taken down.

Three short videos have also been created, highlighting the scenarios people may encounter, while campaign posters will be displayed in all Garda stations in Cork during the campaign.

Under Coco’s Law, non-consensual sharing of intimate images is a crime. Since its introduction in 2021, the groups said reports have risen steadily each year, with intimate image abuse encompassing a wide range of harmful activity.

Mr Moran said stronger awareness, prevention and support for victims was needed, and young people needed to understand sharing or threatening to share intimate images is both abuse and illegal.

Alex Cooney, chief executive of Cybersafekids, added they receive calls from distressed parents whose children have had intimate images shared, and they often have received the wrong advice.

“We also know that for many young people, sharing intimate images is seen as normal,” she said. “It isn't, and we have to challenge that head-on.

“Young people need to understand what abuse looks like, that help exists, and that images can be removed and situations resolved — without fear of judgement or shame."