What to Do If a Kid Sees (or Is in) a Deepfake

Transcript

If a kid ever ends up in a deepfake, the first thing they need to hear is that it isn't their fault.

Deepfakes are AI-made photos, videos, or voice clips of real people doing things they never did. Sometimes it's an embarrassing picture of a classmate. Sometimes, and this is happening in schools, it's a fake nude image of a real student.

If a kid sees one, no matter who it's of, there are two moves. Don't pass it on, not even to show someone how bad it is. And tell an adult.

If it's of them, same two moves. And if someone's threatening to share it unless they do something, they shouldn't give in. Giving in usually just leads to more threats.

The hard part is on us. A kid who thinks they'll get in trouble keeps it to themselves. So when one tells you, don't start with "Is it real?" or "What were you doing?" Start with "I'm glad you told me. This isn't your fault." Then bring in the people who need to know, at school and at home.