18

Jun

2025

Top detective Scott Beard’s stark warning to parents: ‘Don’t put your kids online’

  • External Article
  • ai-generated csam
  • child sexual abuse material (csam)
  • digital child exploitation
  • online safety
  • RNZ
  • sextortion
  • Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland

Detective Inspector Scott Beard warns parents against posting children’s photos online, revealing child sex offenders use AI to create fake explicit images from innocent pictures, which are then traded. He emphasizes evolving “stranger danger” includes online predators and sextortion. While tech aids police investigations, it also increases exposure to horrific crimes, exacting a heavy emotional toll on officers.