TV personality and campaigner Georgia Harrison has warned that the failure to tackle the spread of explicit images online could drive children to suicide.
The 31-year-old, who first gained prominence on reality shows The Only Way Is Essex and Love Island, has spent recent years campaigning against violence targeting women and girls after becoming a victim of revenge porn.
Celebrity Big Brother winner Stephen Bear was convicted in 2022 of sharing a private video of the pair having sex, receiving a custodial sentence a year later.
Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Thursday, during a broadcast coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day, Harrison highlighted the rising number of children and teenagers suffering non-consensual intimate image abuse online.
"I’ve got so many people coming through to my Instagram, younger people seeking help, but also parents that don’t know what to do," she said.
"I just think of these people going through what I experienced but at a time in your life where you’re still learning who you are. You’re so vulnerable. You’re not able to deal with these issues.
"I just don’t think I could have coped at like 13, 14 or 15, walking into school, having everyone talk about it. It’s all-encompassing, and that’s why it is leading children to suicide. They are specifically getting targeted by people to do these things to them, and it needs to stop."
During her appearance, Harrison advocated for a "kill switch" to instantly freeze the spread of abusive sexual images online.
UK legislation coming into force this year requires internet platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours of a report, according to the Government website.
Harrison said: "I was a victim of intimate image abuse myself, and the laws were very different then.
"We didn’t actually have the 48-hour takedown, so it was spreading across the internet. To date, it’s been viewed by millions of people."
"I just don’t think 48 hours is good enough," Harrison continued. What I’m calling for is a ‘kill switch’.
"As soon as you see something that is deemed intimate image abuse specifically, you report it and it comes down. Then the onus is on the person who uploaded it to prove that it was consensual.
"If they can’t prove that, it stays down, and then the evidence goes to the victim should they want to use it in court in the future. It’s like your house is on fire and you’re watching it burn down – and 48 hours is too late."
Harrison also raised the alarm over AI-generated child sexual abuse material, noting that certain applications can present someone as "naked" or "in a sexual act" with "one click".
She continued: "They’re so easily accessible still in the UK. They have been banned.
"Technically it’s illegal, but they’re still out there, aren’t they? And they’re easy to find.
"Kids are having devices that do so many things, and they’re being trusted to use this technology that they’re just not old enough to understand or navigate."
Harrison began campaigning against image-based sexual abuse in 2023 after waiving her right to anonymity in the trial involving her ex-partner Bear, who is also a reality TV star.
In 2025, she received an MBE for services to cybercrime awareness and online privacy.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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