Imagine this: Your child is researching for a school project on a famous historical figure, and they come across a video of that person giving a speech. The speech seems important and insightful, so they decide to use it in their project. But what if that video isn’t real?
What if it’s a deepfake—an AI-generated video that makes it look like the person is saying something they never actually said?
This is the growing reality of deepfakes, a technology that uses artificial intelligence to create incredibly realistic but fake videos, images, and audio.
While deepfakes can be entertaining or harmless in some cases, they can also mislead, confuse, and even harm. In some cases, deepfakes could scar children with the troubling rise in online financial sextortion, a form of blackmail where victims are pressured into paying money to prevent the release of intimate images or videos. This crime primarily targets boys aged 14 to 17, leaving them feeling isolated and vulnerable.
Traditionally, perpetrators posed as flirtatious girls to coax teenage boys into sharing explicit images of themselves. However, with the advent of generative AI, scammers no longer need to rely on these real images. Instead, they can create convincing fake explicit images in just minutes, making it even harder for victims to defend themselves.
Research by Thorn, in collaboration with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), revealed that nearly 10% of financial sextortion cases last year involved fabricated images rather than real ones. This highlights the growing threat of AI-driven manipulation in online exploitation.
For kids who use the internet for research, learning, and socializing, understanding what deepfakes are—and how to spot them—is more important than ever. In this article, we’ll explore how deepfakes can impact kids’ lives and provide parents with the tools to guide their children in recognizing and safely navigating this complex digital phenomenon.
Today, children are growing up immersed in technology, with access to everything from social media platforms to online research resources. While the internet is an amazing resource for learning and connecting, it also comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most concerning developments is the rise of deepfakes—a type of technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create realistic but fake images, videos, and audio. If your child uses the internet for research, projects, or social media, understanding what deepfakes are and how to spot them is increasingly important.
This guide is designed to help you explain deepfakes to your kids in a way that’s both informative and age-appropriate, while also encouraging responsible use of AI technology.
What Are Deepfakes?
To explain deepfakes to your children, it’s helpful to start with the basics. Deepfakes are videos, photos, or audio clips that have been altered using AI to make someone appear to say or do something they never actually did. These altered media can look and sound incredibly realistic, making it hard to tell whether they are real or fake. In fact, some deepfakes are so convincing that even adults can be tricked by them.
For example, imagine a video of a famous actor or politician saying something controversial. If it looks real, but you know the person never actually made those comments, there’s a chance it could be a deepfake.
How Do Deepfakes Work?
Deepfakes are created using a type of AI called machine learning, which “teaches” computers how to mimic real-life images, voices, and movements. The AI takes hours or even days of video and audio from the person being imitated, learning their voice, facial expressions, and mannerisms. Once it has enough data, the AI can generate new videos or sounds that seem very real, even though they’ve been altered.
Think of it like a really advanced version of Photoshop—but for videos and voices.
Why Are Deepfakes a Problem?
While deepfakes can be used for entertainment (like in movies or digital art), they can also be dangerous and misleading. Here are some of the issues deepfakes can cause:
- Misinformation: Deepfakes can be used to spread false information. For example, a deepfake video of a famous person saying something untrue can quickly go viral and mislead millions of people.
- Cyberbullying: Some people use deepfakes to harm others, like creating fake videos of someone in embarrassing or harmful situations. This is not only unfair, but it can also be emotionally damaging.
- Fraud: Deepfake technology can be used in scams to impersonate someone’s voice or appearance. This can lead to serious issues like identity theft or financial loss.
How Can Kids Spot Deepfakes?
Children need to understand how to spot deepfakes so they don’t get tricked online. Here are a few tips that can help them recognize deepfakes:
- Check the Source: Always ask, “Where did this video or photo come from?” If it’s from an unknown or unreliable source, it might be a deepfake. Encourage your kids to only trust information from websites, news outlets, and people they know and trust.
- Look for Odd Details: Deepfakes, despite being realistic, sometimes have small flaws. For example, the person’s face might not quite match their body, their eyes could look strange, or their mouth might not sync properly with what they’re saying.
- Watch for Unnatural Movements: In a deepfake, the person’s gestures or facial expressions may not look entirely natural. Ask your child to pay attention to how someone moves or talks in a video. If it seems “off,” it could be fake.
- Use Technology to Help: There are tools and apps that can help detect deepfakes. Encourage your kids to use websites that specialize in fact-checking, like Snopes or FactCheck.org, to verify information they find online.
The Importance of Digital Literacy for Kids
Explaining deepfakes to your kids isn’t just about making them aware of one specific type of media manipulation. It’s about teaching them digital literacy—the ability to critically analyze information they come across on the internet. Kids need to understand that not everything they see online is true or real, and they should approach content with a healthy level of skepticism.
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You can support your child’s digital literacy by having open conversations about how technology is used, both for good and for bad. Encourage them to question what they see online, whether it’s a video, photo, or news story. Help them understand the importance of verifying information and being mindful of how media can be manipulated.
Why Parents Should Care About AI Technology
As AI technology continues to evolve, it’s important for parents to understand how it works and the potential risks it poses. While AI can enhance learning and creativity, it can also be used for harmful purposes if not properly monitored. Teaching your children about AI, including deepfakes, empowers them to make safer, more informed decisions online.
Parents should also set clear guidelines about internet usage, especially when it comes to social media and video platforms. Ensure that your kids are aware of the potential risks of uploading personal content online and help them understand the importance of privacy.
Encouraging Responsible AI Use
AI is becoming an integral part of our digital lives, but it’s crucial that kids learn how to use it responsibly. Encourage them to explore AI’s positive uses—like improving learning, enhancing creativity, or even protecting against cyber threats. By fostering an environment of curiosity and caution, you can help your children become not just savvy internet users, but also responsible digital citizens.
Final Thoughts: Start the Conversation Early
Understanding deepfakes and other forms of digital manipulation isn’t something kids learn overnight. It requires ongoing conversations and guidance from trusted adults. Start talking to your children about the importance of verifying the information they find online, and emphasize the value of being cautious and thoughtful when interacting with new technologies.
By educating kids about deepfakes and other online threats, you’re helping them build a foundation of digital responsibility that will serve them well in an increasingly complex online world. Whether they’re using the internet for research, entertainment, or connecting with others, having the knowledge to discern truth from fiction is one of the best tools you can give them.
So, take a few minutes today to explain deepfakes to your kids—and keep the conversation going. The internet can be a wonderful place for learning, but it’s important that your kids know how to navigate it safely and responsibly.
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