Mumsnet suspends image sharing after site targeted with child abuse images
Mumsnet has halted image sharing after child abuse photos were posted on the platform, sparking concerns over moderation and site security.
Parenting platform Mumsnet has temporarily disabled image sharing after users posted child sexual abuse images in a coordinated attack.
The site is now working with police and exploring AI tools to prevent further incidents.
The website has suspended its image-sharing function after being targeted with child abuse images in what appears to be a coordinated attack.
Founder Justine Roberts described the incident as “horrific” and confirmed the site has reported it to the police.
The images, which were shared over several hours late on Sunday, have raised concerns among users about Mumsnet’s moderation system, particularly its reliance on volunteer moderators during UK overnight hours.
Concerns over moderation and site security
Some Mumsnet users have criticised the platform’s moderation process after the abusive images remained visible for hours.
In a thread on Mumsnet following the incident, one user wrote: “The truly awful photos… I will never un-see. The site is big enough and money-making enough to support a better system by now.”
"There really needs to be proper 24-hour IT cover", another user added.
Ms Roberts defended Mumsnet’s current approach, explaining that overnight moderation is handled by volunteers based in different time zones to ensure round-the-clock monitoring. She added that the site was working to prevent such content from being uploaded in the first place.
She told the BBC, “The key is to stop this type of horrific thing being posted on our site in the first place, and we’re putting all our efforts into preventing that from happening again.”
AI filters and police investigation
Ms Roberts confirmed that Mumsnet is now looking to implement artificial intelligence (AI) tools to detect and block harmful content before it appears on the site.
The platform has also reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police and is set to meet with officers to discuss the next steps in the investigation.
Mumsnet, which attracts around nine million unique users each month, has previously been targeted by trolls and cyberattacks.
Talking to the BBC, Ms Roberts said: “Over the years, we’ve been swatted, attacked by bots and suffered bomb threats, amongst other things. This latest horrific incident feels like another attempt to derail conversation on the site.”
Moderators who were exposed to the distressing images have been offered support, and Mumsnet is working to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
The suspension of image sharing is a temporary measure, but the attack has reignited discussions about online safety and moderation practices. As the site moves towards AI filtering, many parents will be watching closely to see how effectively Mumsnet can safeguard its community moving forward.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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