Young people can report and remove nude images of themselves online using new tool

Children who are worried that nude pictures and videos may end up online will be able to report the material to help prevent it from being uploaded in the future.

For the first time, young people will be able to flag images and videos with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) charity via a tool on the NSPCC’s Childline website before they have appeared online.

What’s the tool - and how does it work?

The tool, called the Report Remove tool, can be used by under 18s to flag material to remove from the internet, and prevent it from being uploaded in the future.

IWF analysts will review the content that’s been flagged and create a unique digital fingerprint known as a hash, which will then be shared with tech companies to prevent it from being uploaded and shared.

The tool can also be used to report an image or video that has already appeared online by sharing the URL, and analysts will assess the material and work to remove it if it breaks the law.

Young people must verify their age, but they do not need to share their real name with Childline or the IWF.