Only 30% of Teens Get AI Safety Lessons as Nude Deepfakes Spread
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 18
Only 30% of Teens Get AI Safety Lessons as Nude Deepfakes Spread
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 18
Summary
Just 30% of 13- to 17-year-olds said a teacher had ever discussed safe AI use, according to a new Common Sense Media survey, even as 70% reported using AI for homework.
The gap goes beyond cheating concerns: researchers and outside experts said many teens are not being taught how AI works, how to verify chatbot answers, or how to avoid harms such as nude deepfakes.
Nude deepfakes have become common enough among adolescents to seem almost normal, digital forensics expert Chad Steel said, warning the images can be permanent, fuel extortion and stalking, and worsen risks of depression and suicide.
Experts urged parents to start discussing sexualized AI content by third or fourth grade—or by fifth grade at the latest—and to tell children not to create or share deepfakes, keep photos private, refuse peer pressure and seek trusted adults' help.