Protecting Kids from the Deepfake Epidemic: A Parent’s Guide to Digital Safety
Your teen comes to you, shaking, clutching their phone. They’ve just been blackmailed with a photo that isn’t even real—a deepfake nude, generated without their consent.
What was once the plot of high-tech Hollywood thrillers is now a real-life nightmare; Deepfakes are now being weaponized by everyday users to exploit and harm, and children remain the easiest and most vulnerable targets. Deepfake technology poses a significant threat, and it’s more important than ever to protect kids online from deepfake nudes and the exploitation they can lead to.
In this blog, we’ll break down what deepfakes are, how they’re being misused in harmful ways like sextortion, and most importantly, how parents can protect their kids from this growing digital threat.
What are Deepfakes?
Deepfakes are AI-generated photos, videos or audio that look shockingly real. Advanced algorithms can swap faces, mimic voices, and create hyper-realistic content.. While this technology can be used for entertainment and harmless purposes, it can also be weaponized in terrifying ways.
Alarmingly, over 90% of deepfake content online is pornographic, with unsuspecting teens being frequent targets. These tools are more accessible than ever, with some platforms able to generate thousands of fake nudes from just one photo in mere seconds.
The Impact on Kids
A New Jersey high school recently made headlines after explicit deepfake photos of students were passed around among classmates. The emotional toll on the victims was devastating–humiliation, anxiety, and lasting damages to their sense of safety and reputations.
The rise of deepfake nudes and online sextortion highlights how this technology is being weaponized against teens, with devastating consequences.
Could Your Child be a Target?
It’s a heartbreaking reality, but children are increasingly vulnerable to deepfake abuse. Here are some signs that your child may be being targeted:
Increased secrecy: They may become excessively guarded about what they’re doing online.
Avoiding their devices: On the flip side, suddenly avoiding their phone or computer altogether can also be a red flag.
Sudden anxiety or withdrawal: If your child seems unusually distracted, quiet, or upset, it’s important to check in with them.
Steps Parents Can Take
Talk about it: Have honest, age-appropriate conversations about deepfakes. Help your kids understand what they are, how they can be misused and why they can be harmful.
Secure their accounts: Make sure their social media accounts are private and that their profile photo doesn't show their face. Model this behaviour yourself by not sharing photos of your child on your own accounts.
Teach digital skepticism: Encourage your kids to think critically about what they see online and recognize how photos and videos can be manipulated.
If your child is targeted:
Don’t comply with any threats.
Take screenshots of all messages, interactions, and profiles.
Report the incident right away to authorities.
Preventing Future Perpetrators
Conversations about deepfakes shouldn’t stop at protection, they also need to include prevention of perpetration. Educate your children about the harm that creating deepfakes of others can cause and how it is a violation of consent. Teach empathy, ethics, and responsibility, helping them understand the lasting impact their actions can have on others.
ExEd is here to support you every step of the way with workshops, guides, and resources for parents navigating online safety. To help you start these important conversations, download our free guide, 10 Ways to Talk to Your Kids About Deepfake Safety. By fostering empathy and awareness, parents can help prevent deepfake abuse while teaching their children the importance of responsible online behavior.
