Some Instagram users are stealing baby and toddler photos, re-posting them to new accounts and then asking people to start 'baby role-playing'.
WATCH: TERRIFIED TEEN SECRETLY FILMS FAMILY'S VIOLENT REACTION TO THE NEWS THAT HE IS GAY
The hashtag '#babyrp', when searched, has revealed that hundreds of these 'baby role-playing' accounts exist on Instagram, with new ones popping up daily.
People are taking photographs of babies and toddlers, uploading them to new accounts and writing profiles for them, as written by the infant, listing their name, age, likes, dislikes, and sometimes personality traits.
Then other Instagram users send the child questions via the 'comments' section, such as "do you like to play?" or "would you like me to adopt you?"
The user pretending to be the child almost always responds with a lisp and poor grammar, to suggest it is the baby speaking.
READ: EXPERTS WARN THAT COVERING YOUR BABY'S PRAM PUTS YOUR INFANT'S LIFE AT RISK
In other instances, the person posting the photo will begin a story about the baby and ask other users to finish it.
One such story read: "Jesse's parents abandoned her in the local park… she was freezing due to the winter weather. But she was wrapped in a small blanket. You were walking in the park and…"
READ: HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN NEW MOTHERS NOT TO SLEEP WITH THEIR NEWBORN INFANTS
One of the comments below, written by a user named 'I'm.sexual', said: "When I see Jesse I look around to see if her parents are around. There is no sign. I pick her up and snuggle her."
Another added: "She cried at the sudden movement."
While most of the back and forth is, on the whole, innocent (users usually speak about cuddling or feeding the baby, for example), occasionally the scenarios turn extremely sexual and violent.
One account, now deleted, said in its description: "I do rape and abusive rps so if you don't like it don't waist [sic] your time cuz I will just delete it."
SEE: WOMAN FACES BACKLASH AFTER DUCT-TAPING A DUMMY TO BABY GIRL'S MOUTH
Another deleted account said; "Adopt a kid here I do take requests have fun and rp if you hate a sexually rp unfollow or don't rp on those few pictures."
The more violent role-playing story-lines, which were too disturbing to publish, describe physically and sexually abusing children and babies.
An Instagram account with the handle 'Babyrp_revealed' is working hard to get the hashtag banned by collecting screen grabs of some of the most offensive accounts and encouraging people to report them.
The comments and images they have collected paints a frightening picture for parents.
READ: EXPERTS WARN PARENTS NOT TO LET CHILDREN USE COLOURING BOOKS
Elizabeth Harper found her daughter Audrey's photo on one of the baby role-playing accounts, according to The Star. The description said her name was Ally and she was up for adoption.
The furious mother responded: "Uh, I’m sorry… but this is definitely NOT 'Ally' and she is definitely NOT for freaking sale!.
"This is MY child, and I did NOT and would NEVER give permission for this post!"
Despite complaining to Instagram, however, Mrs Harper told The Star that the post is still active, even 27 weeks later.
READ: COULD THE LOOM BANDS CRAZE BE DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN?
Responding to complaints, an Instagram spokesperson has said they will take the pictures down when the parent or guardian of the pictured child reports the post.
"This type of content violates our terms," said the spokesperson.
"Once a parent or guardian reports it to us, we work quickly to remove it."