How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Bullying

Artificial intelligence, better known as AI, is becoming a part of everyday life. Children and teens may use AI at school, on social media, while playing games, or when creating pictures, videos, and other content.

AI can be a great tool for learning and creativity, but it can also be used in harmful ways. Understanding how AI can be used to embarrass, threaten, trick, or hurt others can help children, parents, caregivers, and educators recognize cyberbullying and know when to take action.

How Can AI Be Used in Bullying?

AI can create pictures, videos, voices, and messages that look or sound real—even when they are not. This makes it possible for someone to create harmful or embarrassing content about another person very quickly.

Here are some ways AI may be misused in bullying.

Fake Pictures and Videos

AI can create or change pictures and videos, known as deepfakes, to falsely show a child doing something they never did or to embarrass them online.

Fake Voices

Some AI tools can copy a person’s voice and make it sound like another child said something embarrassing, mean, or inappropriate when they never actually said it.

Pretending to Be Someone Else

AI can make it easier to pretend to be another person online by creating fake pictures, messages, or other content using a child’s name or identity to spread rumors, damage friendships, or harm their reputation.

Hurtful Messages and Posts

AI can quickly create messages, stories, jokes, pictures, or posts that someone may use to insult, embarrass, threaten, or make fun of another person.

Spreading Rumors and False Information

AI can create fake information that looks real, such as pictures, videos, voice recordings, screenshots, or stories that can spread quickly online before people realize the content is fake.

The Content May Be Fake, but the Hurt Is Real

A fake picture or video may seem like a joke, but AI-related bullying can leave a child feeling embarrassed, afraid, angry, isolated, or unsafe and can affect friendships, school life, and self-confidence.

Creating something with AI does not make it harmless, and we are still responsible for how our actions may affect others.

What Should You Do?

If AI-generated content is being used to bully or harm a child, don’t ignore it.

• Save the evidence. Take screenshots and save messages, usernames, links, pictures, or other information that may help document what happened.
• Tell a trusted adult. Children should talk with a parent, caregiver, teacher, school counselor, or another trusted adult.
• Report the content. Report harmful pictures, videos, accounts, or messages to the website, social media platform, game, or app where they appeared.
• Contact the school when appropriate. If students are involved, let the school know what happened and provide any evidence you have saved.
• Don’t keep sharing it. Reposting harmful content can cause even more embarrassment and allow it to reach more people.
• Take threats seriously. If the content includes threats, exploitation, or concerns about someone’s immediate safety, seek appropriate help right away.

Talk to Children About Using AI Responsibly

Teaching children how to protect themselves from AI misuse is important. But we should also teach them how to use AI responsibly.

Before creating or sharing AI content about another person, encourage children and teens to stop and ask themselves:

• Is it true?
• Is it respectful?
• Could this embarrass or hurt someone?
• Do I have permission to use this person’s picture, name, or voice?

Something that seems funny for a few minutes could have a much longer effect on another person’s life.

Parents and Caregivers Can Help

You don’t have to understand every AI tool to protect your child; simply talk with them about their online experiences, listen to their concerns, and make sure they know they can come to you for help.