In an increasingly digital world, some of the most courageous individuals are working tirelessly behind the scenes to combat online child abuse. One of these heroes is Mabel (a pseudonym), an analyst for the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), an organization dedicated to identifying and removing child abuse content from the web.
Mabel, a former police officer, describes the work as emotionally taxing, but she remains deeply motivated by her love for her family. “The content is horrific, it shouldn’t have been created in the first place,” she says, emphasizing that despite the relentless exposure to such disturbing images, she’s never become immune to the impact. For her, the work is personal; it’s about protecting children—especially her own grandkids—from the horrors she uncovers daily.
The IWF, based in Cambridge, is one of only three organizations globally licensed to actively search for child abuse content. Last year, it helped remove almost 300,000 web pages, some of which contained thousands of abusive images and videos. The rise in AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery has been particularly alarming, with the IWF reporting a nearly fivefold increase in AI-generated content this year compared to last.
Tamsin McNally, leader of the hotline team, is equally resolute, despite the emotional toll. “We make a difference and that’s why I do it,” she says. The hotline receives hundreds of reports daily, from concerned members of the public who stumble across abusive content online. As much as she wishes her job didn’t exist, McNally knows that the demand for organizations like the IWF is only growing.
To cope with the psychological strain, the IWF provides mandatory counseling, team meetings, and regular well-being support for its analysts. “We have a pool table, a huge connect four, jigsaw corner… all these things combined help us stay here,” Mabel explains.
Despite the challenges, many of the team members, like Manon, who has a background in linguistics, find fulfillment in their work. Manon applies her academic skills to decoding the language used by offenders to hide their actions, disrupting their communities and making the internet safer for everyone.
This invaluable work by the IWF is a reminder that while the internet holds vast potential, it also requires vigilant guardians like Mabel and Manon to ensure it remains a safe space for future generations. Their efforts are helping not only to remove harmful content but also to take down criminal networks and provide crucial evidence for law enforcement.
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