AI Deepfakes: A Guide to Responding
- Kayelene Kerr Child Safety Educator & Advocate
- Aug 10
- 2 min read
An AI deepfake is a piece of media, usually a video, image or audio clip that has been digitally altered using artificial intelligence to make it look or sound like someone said or did something they never actually did.
For example:
A video of a student saying something offensive that they never actually said.
A fake audio recording of a teacher’s voice giving false instructions.
A photo of someone in a compromising situation that never happened.
Deepfakes are often convincing and hard to detect without close analysis or the right tools. That’s why they can be used for misinformation, harassment, bullying or sexual extortion.
Deepfakes can ruin reputations, fuel bullying and spread misinformation in minutes.
When AI deepfakes surface and a school has no policy in place, it leaves everyone guessing. There’s confusion about what to do, who’s responsible and how to support those affected. In a world where digital content can be faked so easily, having clear steps to follow isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary.
This guide provides support and advice to Australian schools to respond confidently and effectively to image-based abuse that involves AI deepfakes.
Source: eSafety Commissioner
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About The Author
Kayelene Kerr is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Body Safety, Cyber Safety, Digital Wellness and Pornography education workshops. Kayelene is passionate about the prevention of child abuse and sexual exploitation, drawing on over 28 years’ experience of study and law enforcement, investigating sexual crimes, including technology facilitated crimes. Kayelene delivers engaging and sought after prevention education workshops to educate, equip and empower children and young people, and to help support parents, carers, educators and other professionals. Kayelene believes protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and everyone can play a role in the care, safety and protection of children. Kayelene aims to inspire the trusted adults in children’s lives to tackle sometimes challenging topics.
About eSafeKids
eSafeKids strives to reduce and prevent harm through proactive prevention education, supporting and inspiring parents, carers, educators and other professionals to talk with children, young people and vulnerable adults about protective behaviours, body safety, cyber safety, digital wellness and pornography. eSafeKids is based in Perth, Western Australia.
eSafeKids provides books and resources to teach children about social and emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, gender equality, consent, body safety, protective behaviours, cyber safety, digital wellness, media literacy, puberty and pornography.
eSafeKids books can support educators teaching protective behaviours and child abuse prevention education that aligns with the Western Australian Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Framework: National Quality Standards (NQS).
