An increase in the incidence of children using artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfakes to harass classmates has promoted a warning from the Australian Federal Police.
AFP Commander Helen Schneider said young people may not be aware that using AI to create material featuring their classmates could constitute a criminal offence.
Commander Schneider has urged parents and carers to have “open and non-judgemental conversations” with their children about the dangers and harms caused by using artificial intelligence.
“The AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) has witnessed an increase in the use of AI-generated child abuse material in the past year, including a rise in students creating material such as deepfakes for a variety of reasons, including to harass or embarrass classmates,” she said.
“Children and young people are curious by nature, however, anything that depicts the abuse of someone under the age of 18 – whether that’s videos, images, drawings or stories – is child abuse material, irrespective of whether it is ‘real’ or not.
“The AFP encourages all parents and guardians to have open and honest conversations with their child on this topic, particularly as AI technology continues to become increasingly accessible and integrated into platforms and products.”
Commander Helen Schneider said an AFP-led education program ThinkUKnow had free resources available to assist parents and carers navigate these conversations, and information on where to get help if your child is a victim.
