Students create malicious deepfakes of teachers and classmates at UK schools
UK teachers reported that students have created malicious deepfake images and audio of educators and classmates, often used for sexual exploitation or harassment. The phenomenon has prompted government action to criminalise creation of sexually explicit deepfakes and calls for stronger social media regulation.
What happened
A survey by the Association of School and College Leaders found that more than one in 10 secondary school teachers reported pupils had created deepfake imagery or audio featuring staff or students in the past year.
Two UK private schools were at the centre of criminal investigations after schoolboys made deepfake pornography using pictures of female pupils.
Reported impact
Deepfakes were often used to humiliate, blackmail or sexually objectify targets.
Teachers reported increased bullying, abuse and malicious use of deepfakes against pupils and staff through social media.
Governance controls
The Government confirmed it will make creating sexually explicit deepfake images a criminal offence carrying up to two years imprisonment.
It is already an offence to share or threaten to share intimate images including deepfakes under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, as amended by the Online Safety Act 2023.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.