Teaching Kids to Spot AI Content and Deepfakes: A New Online Safety Skill

Fake videos and AI-generated images are harder to spot every year. Deepfakes can now put words in a real person’s mouth or show them doing something they never did. For kids and teens, learning to question what they see online is becoming one of the most important safety skills a family can practice.

The FBI points out that bad actors can use audio, video, and photos of your family to create deepfakes and other AI content. This isn’t just an adult problem. Children are targeted too — through convincing impersonations, fake celebrity videos, and manipulated messages designed to trick them into sharing personal information or money.

The good news is that critical thinking is something you can teach. Here’s a simple way to start the conversation with your kids.

Ask questions instead of just believing. Encourage your child to pause and ask: Does this seem too strange or too unbelievable to be real? Could this voice or face be a fake? The FBI recommends teaching kids to question what is posted and to practice spotting AI-generated content together.

Check the source. If a video or image shocks them, help them verify it against trusted sources like major news outlets or government websites. If it only exists on one random page or social account, be skeptical.

Remind them it is okay to say no. Deepfakes are sometimes used to pressure kids into doing things they would not normally do. Tell your child they are always allowed to say no to requests that make them uncomfortable, and that they can always come to you.

Talk about the human cost. Deepfakes are not harmless parlor tricks. They can be used for bullying, harassment, and exploitation. Explaining the real harm helps kids understand why it matters beyond just being interesting.

AI is not going anywhere. The goal is not to scare your family or ban all screens. The goal is to build a habit of healthy skepticism so your kids can enjoy the internet without being fooled by it. Start small, keep it regular, and make it a normal part of your family’s online routine.

Concerned about something your child has encountered online? If you suspect online exploitation or grooming, do not wait — report it. Use our Report a Predator page to let the right people know and help keep your family protected.