Deepfakes and your family's photos

Understanding the Risk

Deepfakes—synthetic media created or altered using AI—can misrepresent anyone's likeness or voice. While most deepfakes are harmless entertainment, bad actors have used them to create non-consensual intimate imagery, impersonate trusted figures, or spread misinformation. Your family's photos and videos are potential raw material. Children are especially vulnerable because they often lack context to evaluate manipulated content and may not recognize themselves or peers in altered form.

Practical Protective Patterns

Limit photo sharing. The fewer images of your child online (especially full-face, clear shots), the less training data exists for synthesis. Review privacy settings on social accounts and messaging apps; assume shared content can be screenshotted or downloaded.

Build media literacy. Teach older children (age 10+) that images and videos can be altered convincingly—they shouldn't assume something is real just because it looks authentic. Encourage skepticism about unexpected videos of friends or public figures.

Create a reporting culture. If your child encounters a deepfake of themselves or peers, document it and report it to the platform. Many now have abuse pathways. Normalize talking about this openly rather than as shame.

Stay informed. Deepfake tools evolve quickly; periodically revisit what's possible so your guidance stays grounded.

This is general parenting guidance, not clinical advice or a substitute for platform-specific safety resources.