Survey: 1 in 10 US minors report peers creating deepfake nudes
A 2023 survey by nonprofit Thorn found that approximately 1 in 10 US minors reported that classmates had used generative AI tools to create deepfake nude images of other children. The report notes that younger generations are using increasingly sophisticated methods to produce and share explicit images, with cases also reported where students were investigated by police for creating AI-generated nudes.
What happened
An online survey conducted between 3 November and 1 December 2023 by nonprofit Thorn questioned 1,040 US minors aged 9 to 17 about material of child sexual abuse and harmful online experiences.
Approximately one in ten surveyed minors reported that peers or classmates had used generative AI tools to create deepfake nude images of other children. One in ten respondents chose not to answer the question.
In 2023, 7% of surveyed minors reported having shared sexual images of another person, while nearly 20% reported having seen intimate images of others shared without consent. In a separate case, several students in Washington state were investigated for using a 'clothes-off app' on teachers and classmates, and in a Florida school, police detained two high school students for creating AI-generated nudes of classmates.
Reported impact
The survey found that in 2023, more than half (59%) of surveyed minors reported having a potentially harmful online experience, and more than one in three reported having had a sexual online interaction.
Index analysis
Thorn's study notes that methods used by youth to produce and share explicit images are evolving, with generative AI tools now accessible for creating deepfake nudes of peers.
Governance controls
Thorn states that by understanding risks children face online, systems can be developed to protect them against harms introduced by rapidly advancing technologies.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.