Talking About Deepfakes and AI-Generated Content
A conversation guide helping children understand deepfakes, AI-generated images and videos, and the serious risks — including non-consensual intimate images.
Deepfakes — AI-generated videos or images that make a real person appear to say or do something they never did — are increasingly easy to create and increasingly difficult to detect. For young people, the most serious risk is non-consensual intimate imagery: realistic fake images created using their real photos. This conversation helps children understand the risk, think critically about content they see, and know what to do if they are targeted.
When to have this conversation
From age 11–12 onwards, and especially before your child begins sharing photos of themselves publicly online.
Before you start
- • Look up a recent news story about deepfakes to share as a concrete example — it makes the conversation feel relevant rather than theoretical.
- • Be aware that your child may already have seen deepfake content (including celebrity deepfakes) — approach the conversation with curiosity rather than alarm.
- • Remind yourself of the key message: it is not their fault if someone creates this content, and help is available.
Conversation by age group
"Have you heard of something called a deepfake? I want to explain what it is because it is becoming more common."
parent
"AI technology can now create videos and images of real people that look completely genuine but are entirely fake. These are called deepfakes. For example, you might see a video of a celebrity appearing to say something they never actually said."
child
"How can you tell if something is real or not?"
parent
"It is getting harder. Look out for unnatural blinking, slightly blurry edges around the face, or audio that does not quite match the mouth. But honestly, the best approach is to treat anything surprising or shocking online with scepticism until you can verify it from a trusted source."
parent
"There is also a more serious side to this. Some people use AI to create fake images of real people — including young people — in inappropriate situations. If anyone ever sends you something like that, or if anyone uses your photos to make something fake and horrible, that is not okay and it is not your fault. Tell me immediately."
Keep this part calm and factual — do not dwell on the detail, but make sure the message is clear.
Tips for this age
- • Encourage critical thinking about everything they see online — deepfakes are just one example of why not everything digital is real.
- • Review which of their photos are publicly visible and consider making social media profiles private.
"I want to talk to you about something that is affecting teenagers specifically — and it is important you know about it."
parent
"You have probably heard of deepfakes. I want to make sure you understand the real risks, because it is not just about spotting fake celebrity videos."
child
"I know about deepfakes. They are just AI videos."
parent
"The technology has advanced to the point where someone can take photos from your social media and create realistic fake intimate images of you. This is illegal in the UK under the Online Safety Act — sharing them is a criminal offence. But that does not mean it does not happen."
parent
"If this ever happens to you — or to someone you know — report it to the Revenge Porn Helpline at revengepornhelpline.org.uk, or to the police. Do not try to manage it alone. The shame lies entirely with whoever created it, not with you."
The language here is important — explicitly removing any sense of blame from the young person.
child
"What if I shared a photo that was used? Is that my fault?"
parent
"No. Absolutely not. The responsibility is entirely with the person who created or shared it. There is no level of sharing that makes it okay for someone to manipulate your image. Ever."
Tips for this age
- • Discuss the link between public photo sharing and deepfake risk — not to restrict them, but to support informed decision-making.
- • Make sure they know about the Revenge Porn Helpline (03456 00 04 59) as a practical resource.
Follow-up actions
- → Review which photos your child has shared publicly and discuss whether to make social media accounts private.
- → Save the Revenge Porn Helpline number (03456 00 04 59) — it supports people of any age and is confidential.
Related safety topics
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.