The Proliferation of Deepfakes Is Profoundly Changing the Way Teenagers Use the Internet

A new report from Common Sense Media highlights how AI-generated sexual content is reshaping the lives of teenagers. Surveying over 1,300 youth aged 13 to 17, the research shows that nearly half of those surveyed have encountered AI-generated sexual material online. While much of this content depicts celebrities, a significant portion involves peers, friends, or the students themselves. The proliferation of accessible tools to create these images has turned social media into a high-risk environment for minors.

Teens are responding to this reality by withdrawing from digital spaces. Roughly 40 percent of respondents have either deleted their social media accounts or tightened their privacy settings to limit exposure. The fear of being targeted by nonconsensual imagery is driving a profound lack of agency among youth, who often feel they must police their own online presence. Many report experiencing significant anxiety and a loss of trust in their social circles as a direct result.

Legal and social consequences are mounting across the country. Some students have faced criminal charges for producing these materials, while others have been expelled from school for confronting those who targeted them. Despite the severity of the situation, only one in five teens has spoken with a trusted adult about the content they encounter. Many express a desire to discuss these issues but report not knowing how to initiate the conversation.

Researchers emphasize that the burden of safety should not fall on teenagers. Tech companies, policymakers, and educators are under increased pressure to address the accessibility of tools that facilitate the creation of nonconsensual imagery. Local officials, including those in San Francisco, are now demanding that major app stores remove software designed to generate this harmful content. The goal remains to move from reactive measures to proactive oversight before more harm occurs.