June 2025 - Minaz Jivraj My Take: Deepfakes in Schools: A Digital Threat to Student Safety, Ethics, and Education

Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape modern society, offering powerful tools that revolutionize industries, education, and communication. Yet among its most troubling developments is the rise of deepfake technology; AI-generated content that mimics real individuals through synthetic audio, video, or images, often without consent. While initially associated with political misinformation and celebrity exploitation, deepfakes are now making alarming inroads into educational settings, where their misuse has led to bullying, harassment, reputational harm, and significant emotional trauma.

This article explores the escalating presence of deepfakes in schools, draws from recent documented cases across the globe, and outlines strategic measures that school administrators, educators, policymakers, and communities can adopt to safeguard students and staff in an increasingly digitized learning environment.

The Escalating Threat: Deepfakes in Educational Environments

Once considered fringe or novelty content, deepfakes are now widely accessible. AI tools capable of generating realistic synthetic media are increasingly available online; some costing less than $2,000 or free through open-source platforms, placing them within reach of tech-savvy youth. The consequences have been far-reaching: from the circulation of AI-generated explicit imagery targeting students and educators to reputational attacks and racially offensive impersonations.

Recent Cases Illustrating the Impact of Deepfakes in Schools:

1. Gladstone Park Secondary College (Australia, 2025):

   AI-generated explicit images of female students were created from formal school portraits and circulated online. Two male students were suspended, with up to 60 victims identified.

   Source: ABC News

   
   

2. Lancaster Country Day School (Pennsylvania, USA, 2023–2024):

   Over 50 female students were targeted with deepfake pornography. Delays in school response sparked parental outrage and led to official investigations.

   Source: ABC 27

   
   

3. Beverly Vista Middle School (California, USA, 2024):

   Five 8th-grade students were expelled for producing and sharing deepfake nude images of 16 classmates. The incident triggered police involvement and national discourse.

   Source: NBC Los Angeles

   
   

4. Carmel Central School District (New York, USA, 2023):

   Students created racist deepfake videos impersonating school officials. Although no legal action followed, the emotional toll on students and staff was significant.

   Source: VICE, Washington Post

   
   

5. Bentley University (Massachusetts, USA, 2023):

   A former student fabricated a deepfake video portraying a professor making offensive comments. The court awarded damages to the professor after legal proceedings.

   Source: Bentley.edu

   
   

6. Shotwell Middle School (Texas, USA, 2025):

   A teacher discovered a deepfake pornographic video of herself distributed among students. Despite a student confession, the school’s perceived inaction led to legal action.

   Source: ABC13 Houston

   
   

7. St. Ignatius College (Adelaide, Australia, 2025):

   A senior student created a non-explicit deepfake of a staff member, prompting debates about the need to criminalize such acts even in the absence of sexual content.

   Source: Adelaide Now

   
   

8. South Korea (2024):

   Nationwide investigations uncovered the use of Telegram channels to distribute deepfake pornography targeting female students. Public pressure mounted for legislative reforms.

   Source: Le Monde.fr

   
   

9. Elliston Berry Case (Texas, USA, 2025):

   At just 14, Berry was victimized through AI-generated explicit imagery. The incident spurred bipartisan momentum behind the proposed “Take It Down Act” in the U.S. Congress.

   Source: The Times

   
   

10. Sydney High School (Australia, 2025):

    A senior student produced and disseminated deepfake pornography involving peers, prompting intervention by both the Department of Education and law enforcement.

    Source: New York Post, ABC

The Ethical and Operational Dilemmas of Deepfake Technology

The cases above highlight the multidimensional risks deepfakes pose to education systems. 

Key challenges include:

• Psychological and Emotional Harm:

  Victims, especially minors, often experience severe anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and long-term disruptions in social trust and academic performance.

  
  

• Legal Grey Zones:

  Most legal frameworks lag behind technological capabilities. Many jurisdictions lack explicit statutes addressing AI-generated content, especially when incidents occur off-campus or involve non-explicit media.

  
  

• Institutional Hesitation:

  Schools often struggle to respond effectively due to concerns over digital privacy laws, student rights, and limited understanding of jurisdiction in digital spaces.

  
  

• Reputational Fallout:

  Victims, families, and schools may all suffer long-lasting damage to credibility and trust, particularly in cases that become public.

  
  

Toward a Safer Future: Strategies for Mitigation and Prevention

To address the deepfake crisis in education, a multi-tiered approach is essential—one that integrates pedagogy, policy, technology, mental health support, and legal advocacy.

1. Integrate Media and AI Literacy into Curricula

   Teaching students to critically analyze digital media is vital. Initiatives such as the University of Washington’s MisInfo Day empower students to detect deepfakes using facial inconsistencies, unnatural audio patterns, and metadata. Embedding such programs into standard curricula cultivates responsible digital citizenship.

   
   

2. Develop Comprehensive AI Usage Policies

   Educational institutions must update codes of conduct to explicitly prohibit the misuse of AI-generated content. Policies should be enforceable regardless of where or when the content is created and must be accompanied by transparent disciplinary measures.

   
   

3. Expand Mental Health Resources and Victim Support

   School counselors and administrators must be trained to support victims of digital abuse. Confidential reporting systems and trauma-informed care can help students recover and foster a culture of safety and empathy.

   
   

4. Advance Legislative and Policy Reform

   Schools should work with policymakers to advocate for clearer legal definitions and penalties:

   • The U.S. “Take It Down Act” aims to criminalize non-consensual AI-generated explicit imagery.

   • California’s legislation addressing AI child pornography may serve as a model for other jurisdictions.

   • International cooperation will be increasingly necessary as deepfakes cross digital borders.

     
     

5. Leverage Detection Technologies and Digital Provenance Tools

   Although detection software remains in development, tools that identify manipulated media through watermarks or blockchain-backed content verification offer emerging promise. Schools should pilot these technologies as part of a broader digital safety infrastructure.

   
   

6. Engage Families and Collaborate with Technology Platforms

   Parental education and collaboration with social media platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat) are critical. Schools should promote parental controls, AI content filters, and rapid takedown protocols to limit harm and prevent re-victimization.

   
   

Conclusion: Schools at the Forefront of Digital Ethics and Safety

Deepfake technology presents an unprecedented and evolving threat to the safety and dignity of students and educators. As AI tools grow more sophisticated, so too must our collective response. Schools are no longer passive institutions reacting to external technologies; they must become proactive leaders in digital ethics, safety, and advocacy.

By embracing media literacy, enforcing clear policies, supporting victims, and collaborating across legal, technological, and familial domains, schools can not only protect their communities—but also set a precedent for ethical innovation and responsible AI use. In doing so, educators can transform a moment of danger into a turning point for resilience and leadership in the digital age.

Minaz Jivraj MSc., C.P.P., C.F.E., C.F.E.I., C.C.F.I.-C., I.C.P.S., C.C.T.P.

Disclaimer:The information provided in this blog/article is for general informational purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, the author makes no representations or warranties about its completeness or suitability for any particular purpose. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal advice specific to their situation.