Part 2 of our AI-generated porn awareness series:
“In many ways, we have failed to prepare ourselves and our children for the advent of social media, and the ramifications of which are still being felt. But we have the chance to learn from history, and set up future generations for success when it comes to AI.” – Dr. Caroline Leaf, Time.com
Unfortunately, though, we’re already dropping the ball. AI-generated porn, in addition to any and all exposure to porn, is harming teens and big-tech is partially responsible.
Parents, educators, and youth workers must step up and take ownership, too. Being aware of the problem is a critical first step.
Table of Contents
Victims and perpetrators - how AI porn is harming teens
Distressing news stories are starting to emerge as curious young minds experiment with AI technology.
Allowing AI tools to fall into the hands of young teens is like handing them a loaded gun or power tool without any safety settings, training, or accountability.
For example, in small-town Almendralejo, Spain, more than 20 girls aged 11-17 experienced image based sexual abuse via AI-generated nudes of them created and distributed online. The perpetrators were boys aged 12-14.
“The case has caused concern even for local people who are not involved.
‘Those of us who have kids are very worried,’ says Gema Lorenzo, a local woman who has a son, aged 16, and a daughter, aged 12.
‘You’re worried about two things: if you have a son, you worry he might have done something like this; and if you have a daughter, you’re even more worried because it’s an act of violence’. ” ~ BBC.com
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. Young teens all around the globe are creating generative AI deepfake porn.
In another recent incident, one brave high schooler from Westfield High in New Jersey is taking action, supported by her parents, after AI-generated porn images of herself and more than a dozen other teens were distributed online to her peers.
And, again in Demopolis, Alabama,“Tiffany Cannon, Elizabeth Smith, Holston Drinkard, and Heidi Nettles said they all learned on Dec. 4 that two of their daughters’ male classmates created and shared explicit photos of their daughters. Smith said since last Monday, it has been a rollercoaster of emotions.
“They’re scared, they’re angry, they’re embarrassed. They really feel like why did this happen to them,” said Smith.
The group of mothers said there is an active investigation with Demopolis Police.” – WBRC.com
Some ways Big Tech enables AI porn and endangers teens
Not only are AI tools tempting teens to exploit others, but search engines like Google are exploiting teens by allowing teen-themed AI porn search terms. Such search terms should be banned because they are a form of child sexual exploitation.
A global child sexual abuse image crisis fueled by generative AI
While some call deepfake images of children and teens “porn,” it’s actually a heinous crime now actively perpetrated by criminals utilizing AI.
A 2023 news report reveals the grim facts: “The Internet Watch Foundation, which removes online child sexual abuse imagery, assessed a little over 11,000 AI-generated child sexual abuse material (AI CSAM) or images that were posted to a dark web forum in a one-month period. They found 2,978 of these images to be criminal in nature.” – interestingai.com
According to another recent article in The Washington Post, “Machine learning models can also spit out images depicting child abuse or rape and, because no one was harmed in the making, such content wouldn’t violate any laws, Citron said. But the availability of those images may fuel real-life victimization.”
Across the aisle, Fox News agrees, stating, “…we need to update the federal legal definition of child sexual abuse material to include AI-generated depictions. As the law currently stands, prosecutors must show harm to an actual child. But this requirement is out of step with today’s technology.”
Finally, Forbes writer Elijah Clark warns, “The grim reality is clear: if steps aren’t taken to contain this exploding crisis, we risk allowing artificial intelligence to become a tool for the mass exploitation of the world’s most vulnerable citizens — our children.”
5 tips for talking to teens (and younger) about the dangers of AI and deepfake porn
- AI is a powerful tool that can be used as a deadly weapon.
- Your mental health can be affected by AI deepfake images.
- Images you put on the internet can live forever, harm others, and can result in criminal charges depending on your state laws.
- Using AI properly as a tool requires proper training and adult supervision.
- Make a plan together for healthy use of technology – including a “mistake escape” plan.
Tips for a “mistakes happen” conversation and promise
Almost weekly news stories now appear of teens committing suicide – the ultimate act of despair due to an online nude leak or social media mistake.
It’s vital to talk to your teen or young adult about AI deepfakes and sextortion as soon as possible. The Mayo Clinic offers some helpful pointers if your teen confides suicidal ideations.
Instead of shaming your teen, promise them that you will love them and help them “no matter what – even if they make an online mistake!”
Assure them that like Joshua Broome, famous former porn star turned believer, there is a beautiful life possible after online nudes.
Additionally, Dr. Caroline Leaf offers a simple plan for talking to your middle school and younger children about safely and wisely using AI technology.
Unfortunately most of today’s teens have been exposed to porn – generative AI porn or not – by age 8.
Defend Young Minds offers a very helpful, hopeful key phrase. You can tell your child if they’ve encountered porn: “Just because you saw a bad picture doesn’t make you a BAD person.”
This basic truth bears repeating: the porn industry is the enemy, not your child.
Help for victims of deepfake and AI-generated porn
For the victims of deepfake and AI-generated porn, we want you to know you matter. The injustice you’ve experienced isn’t fake! Be very kind to yourself or your teen who’s been harmed by AI porn.
Understandably, dealing with image-based sexual abuse is both challenging and traumatizing.
However, even if you feel powerless, there are a few immediate action steps you can take:
- The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has a legal team ready to help victims of online sexual abuse. (Please save any evidence immediately.)
- Another resource is Cyber Civil Rights online safety center’s list of attorneys.
- Fight the New Drug has compiled this very helpful list of ways to fight back, practice self-care, and heal.
- Ask Google to take down images and hold their feet to the fire.
- Search for a trauma-based therapist for long-term recovery help.
Please care for yourself kindly. Your life matters.
If you’re reading this and it’s a rough day, you can talk to someone for FREE. Text HOME to 741741.
Using AI for prevention and protection from porn
What happens if your young teen son gets curious about a term or video someone used at school that day?
He’s probably going to Google it, right? Right now, due to the news about deepfake porn and Taylor Swift, it wouldn’t be surprising if AI porn pops into his search feed.
So, what if you had a tool that didn’t just notify you of your son’s search, but actually actively blocked any pornographic images that might pop up?
One of our latest tools from Ever Accountable, an app called Bulldog Blocker uses the power of AI for good to instantly block these images from Android devices, even inside social media apps.
If your teen is struggling with porn use, or you want to prevent any bad-habits from forming, this option offers an immediate break from porn viewing. You can learn more here:
At Ever Accountable, our passion is to empower people everywhere to quit all kinds of porn through the power of accountability.
We also care deeply about those who love them. AI-generated deepfake porn (and the entire porn industry) matters, because it’s actively harming our future generations all around the world.
14-Day Free Trial
Protection From Pornography
Change your habits, change your life: Start our 14-day free trial to help get rid of pornography for good.
Works Cited
Clark, Elijah. Forbes.com, https://www.forbes.com/sites/elijahclark/2023/10/31/pedophiles-using-ai-to-generate-child-sexual-abuse-imagery/?sh=63f111391656. Accessed 2 February 2024.
HARRIS, SKYLAR, and ARTEMIS MOSHTAGHIAN. “High schooler calls for AI regulations after manipulated pornographic images of her and others shared online.” KSL NewsRadio, 6 November 2023, https://kslnewsradio.com/2056412/high-schooler-calls-for-ai-regulations-after-manipulated-pornographic-images-of-her-and-others-shared-online/. Accessed 26 January 2024.
Hedgecoe, Guy. “AI-generated naked child images shock Spanish town of Almendralejo.” BBC, 23 September 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66877718. Accessed 26 January 2024.
Huizar, Teresa. “Congress must stop a new AI tool used to exploit children.” Fox News, 3 January 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/congress-must-stop-new-ai-tool-exploit-children. Accessed 2 February 2024.
Hunter, Tatum. “AI porn raises flags over deepfakes, consent and harassment of women.” The Washington Post, 13 February 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/02/13/ai-porn-deepfakes-women-consent/. Accessed 26 January 2024.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34845370. Accessed 26 January 2024.
Milmo, Dan. “AI-created child sexual abuse images ‘threaten to overwhelm internet.’” The Guardian, 25 October 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/oct/25/ai-created-child-sexual-abuse-images-threaten-overwhelm-internet?ref=biztoc.com. Accessed 26 January 2024.
“Revenge Porn, deep fakes, AI, Boston University, Boston University Law School, Rebecca A. Delfino, artificial intelligence » Dome | Blog Archive.” Boston University, 10 August 2023, https://sites.bu.edu/dome/2023/08/10/revenge-porn-and-deep-fake-technology-the-latest-iteration-of-online-abuse/. Accessed 26 January 2024.
Sharma, Sejal. “AI is being used to generate child sexual abuse images, warns IWF.” Interesting Engineering, 25 October 2023, https://interestingengineering.com/culture/ai-used-to-generate-child-abuse-images. Accessed 26 January 2024.
