ICYMI

24 April 2025

ITV News has found a network of accounts on Instagram, where AI 'Down Syndrome' filters are being used to create suggestive content

A network of Instagram accounts are using AI 'Down Syndrome' filters to share videos of young women, making content with sexual undertones and providing links to subscription site OnlyFans.

One account seen by ITV News has taken content from the profile of 16-year-old girl, changing her face with AI to make it appear as if she has Down Syndrome.

The altered videos have been shared with suggestive captions, and the profile contains a link to an account on OnlyFans - a subscription-based site where users can pay for explicit content.

"Do you find my Down Syndrome attractive?" one caption read.

One account has taken content posted by a 16-year-old (right), before using an AI Down Syndrome filter (left).

Text on another video said: "I have Down Syndrome, and a better body than your ex."

Multiple accounts on Instagram are posting similar videos, some with hundreds of thousands of followers. Some of the content has been detected by the platform as using AI - but other videos clearly using AI contain no warnings.

We reached out to representatives of Ellie Goldstein with our findings, a British model and actor with Down Syndrome.

British model Ellie Goldstein. Credit: AP

Inclusive talent agency Zebedee told us they were "horrified" by the network of accounts, and called for Instagram and Onlyfans to take action.

They told ITV News that any attempt to profit from fetishising disabilities "is completely unacceptable."

"We represent a number of talented people with Down syndrome who have worked hard to make a career in modelling in their own right," the agency said.

'I made myself into an AI Influencer: It's scary how easy it is'

Why do some followers think our videos use AI voices?

"We would hate to see any behaviour that impacts them in a negative way or profits from their visible differences."

Instagram said it had removed the accounts found to have violated its policies.

OnlyFans said its moderation teams had reviewed the linked accounts on its platform, and none contained any content which had been altered with AI filters.

The site said only verified creators aged over 18 can post on the platform, and content changed using AI can only be shared if it clearly features the verified creator, or if it is labelled using a hashtag.

https://www.itv.com/news/2025-04-24/ai-down-syndrome-filters-used-to-promote-sexual-content-on-instagram