A Disturbing Trend: Deepfake Nudes Impacting Teen Privacy and Safety

A recent report from Thorn, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation, sheds light on concerning trends surrounding deepfake nudes among teenagers. This troubling phenomenon is reshaping the landscape of privacy and safety for young individuals. The report reveals that approximately one in eight teens know someone who has been targeted by deepfake nudes, highlighting the growing prevalence of this issue.

According to the research, nearly 31% of teens are at least familiar with the concept of deepfake nudes, indicating a significant awareness of this evolving digital threat. However, despite rising recognition of the term, many adolescents seem unaware of the associated legal and psychological implications. The findings underscore the urgent need for education surrounding the implications of this technology, particularly as it pertains to underage individuals.

The recent survey conducted by Thorn, which included 1,200 participants aged between 13 to 20 years, offers crucial insights into young people's perceptions and experiences with deepfake nudes. With advances in technology enabling the creation of hyper-realistic explicit content at the click of a button, teens are increasingly finding themselves vulnerable to the harmful effects of visual manipulation.

Melissa Stroebel, Vice President of Research and Insights at Thorn, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “No child should wake up to find their face attached to an explicit image circulating online—but for too many young people, this is now a reality.” This sobering reality is compounded by the ease of access to the technology needed to create such content, which further endangers privacy.

The report reveals that a significant percentage of teenagers—41%—recognize deepfake nudes as harmful, identifying key concerns such as emotional distress (30%), reputational damage (29%), and deception (26%). Yet frustratingly, misunderstandings about the nature of these images persist, with 16% of teens downplaying the threat by claiming these images are