AI-Generated Deepfakes Target School Communities in Australia
AI-powered tools are being used to create deepfake images and videos of schoolchildren and teachers scraped from school social media accounts in Australia. Between January and March 2026, the eSafety Commissioner received over 100 reports of deepfakes used to sexually exploit, mock or defame victims, prompting new safety guidance for schools.
What happened
Between January and March 2026, eSafety received more than 100 reports of anonymous accounts targeting schools and school staff with AI-generated content including dance videos, face swaps, memes and fabricated stories about principals and teachers, with almost all involving imagery harvested from school social media accounts or websites.
Much of the reported material appeared on anonymous TikTok and Instagram accounts with hundreds of followers, and included staff headshots used to create fake videos and teacher ratings. A significant number of cases involved AI-generated deepfake child sexual exploitation material originating from school settings, with other manipulations including sexualised AI imagery of teachers and altered body image AI dance videos.
Reported impact
Teachers, school staff and students faced humiliation, reputational damage and distress as a result of the AI-generated deepfakes. The escalating threat has prompted schools to reconsider their posting habits and establish action plans to respond when images are weaponised.
Index analysis
Images were scraped from official school social media feeds and run through generative AI to produce sexualised, mocking or damaging depictions. Powerful AI tools are now widely accessible as stand-alone apps and services, offered through social media and messaging platforms, and integrated into search engines.
Governance controls
eSafety released a new Online Safety Advisory to help schools make safer posting decisions and have action plans in place to respond when images are misused. As a result of eSafety action over the past year, seven of the most widely used 'nudify' services in Australia have withdrawn access or taken measures to comply with obligations under the Online Safety Act.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.