Skip to main content
A Singapore Government Agency Website How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Government agencies communicate via .gov.sg websites (e.g. go.gov.sg/open). Trusted websites
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

If you or the victim are in immediate danger, please call the police at 999 or SMS 70999

Ministry of Law - Online Safety

Image-based child abuse

Image-based child abuse is when someone uses the Internet to communicate, offer, advertise, or lead others to a child abuse image or recording of you.

Last updated 28 June 2026

What is a child abuse image or recording?

A child abuse image or recording is an image or recording of a person who is, appears to a reasonable person to be, or is implied to be below 16 years old, and which shows that person:

  • as a victim of torture, cruelty or physical abuse;

  • as a victim of sexual abuse;

  • engaging, or apparently engaging, in a sexual pose or sexual activity;

  • in the presence of another person who is engaging, or apparently engaging, in a sexual pose or sexual activity; or

  • in a sexual depiction of the person’s genital or anal region, or a female child’s breasts, in circumstances that a reasonable person would regard as offensive.

This includes images or recordings that have been altered or generated by any means, including the use of AI.

What is image-based child abuse?

It is an online harm for anyone to communicate a child abuse image or recording of you.

It is also an online harm to:

  • offer to sell or distribute a child abuse image or recording of you;

  • advertise of a child abuse image or recording of you; or

  • use phrases, keywords, descriptions, hints or hyperlinks that help someone locate or access a child abuse image or recording of you.

This means the image or recording of you does not need to be shown directly. It may be enough that the online material offers, advertises, or helps others find or access it.

What is not image-based child abuse?

It is not image-based child abuse if the material:

  • has a legitimate purpose related to science, medicine, education or art; and

  • does not pose an undue risk of harm to any person below 16 years old.

For example, a photojournalist in a war zone who communicates a photo of a child victim of torture online as part of their work may have a legitimate purpose related to education.

Unsure whether this applies to you?

You do not need to work this out alone. You can speak to our community partners for support. They can help you understand what help may be available, and what steps you can take next. Find out more here.

Has a crime been committed?

You can make a police report if you believe a crime has been committed.