The largest misconception is that online predators only come after big names in the industry – Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Margot Robbie. That couldn’t be further from the truth, in fact, average children and women are the largest targets when it comes to sexual harassment. Students are the largest demographic of victims of predatory behavior due to the perception that they are more naive and helpless. The same can be said for ‘deepfakes’, as currently young girls below the age of 18 have become a major target for this form of harassment. 

What is a deepfake?

A deepfake is an image made using existing photos by manipulating expressions, actions, or the physical state of subjects in the photo with a ‘deep learning machine’, a type of artificial intelligence that produces outputs using examples it’s given. These images are not only controversial due to their misleading nature, but also because much of the content made has consisted of pornographic images of unconsenting people that, in some cases, has been used as blackmail.

“If someone is a victim of deepfakes, it can harm them for a long time, because especially in the news cycle, it’s very quick. People get in trouble and then write a story about it,” said Digital Film teacher at Encinal, Ms. Henneman, “But images stick with someone forever. It could jeopardize a lot of things for them.”

What is Grok AI?

Grok AI is a chatbot owned by Elon Musk and integrated into the app X, currently under fire for both having inappropriate conversations with consumers, and being used to make non-consensual sexual images of people (pornographic deepfakes). In response, the European Commission has launched an investigation into the chatbot to see if it has breached the EU’s Digital Service Act. If the bot is found guilty, it could result in a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover (the gross revenue of a company within a 12-month period). Other investigations are taking way in Australia, France and Germany. And the bot was temporarily banned in Indonesia and Malaysia in January, though the ban has now been lifted in both countries. 

“I can’t think of a single positive use of being able to ask AI to make a naked woman for me,” said English teacher, Ms. Calahane. “[We need to] demand that AI companies make that impossible, even demanding from our lawmakers that that becomes illegal.”

The issue began when the chatbot allowed people to make pornographic images when asked, by asking it to remove clothing on images of children and women, even little girls. As well as a plethora of other things: images of women with their hijabs removed, child abuse, and general sexual images. On Jan. 3, 2026 X posted a tweet saying the following, “Anyone using or promoting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.” The problem mostly caught attention of the public as trends sparked on TikTok finding out how many deepfakes certain celebrities had, one such revealed that Nell Fisher, a 14 year-old actor that played Holly Wheeler on Stranger Things, had hundreds made of her. 

“It’s really sad because pornography is addictive. Also, it’s something that there’s different legality in different states and countries,” said Encinal Journalism, English and Yearbook teacher, Mr. Linville. “Parents like myself are concerned about what kids are looking at on the internet. I think young people are [also] constantly worried.”

On Jan. 13, 2026 Senate unanimously passed the DEFIANCE Act, a bill that would allow victims of sexual, non-consensual deepfakes to sue the creators of the images for a minimum of $150,000. The bill states, “Violators are subject to mandatory restitution and criminal penalties, including prison, a fine, or both. Threats to publish intimate visual depictions of a subject are similarly prohibited under the bill and subject to criminal penalties.” The Act has now headed to the House, where it has been pushed to for quite a bit. Now the issue is entirely different as people are requesting that Grok is completely inaccessible on the Apple and Google stores.

“I think [AI deepfakes] are really hard to avoid, because AI doesn’t need your permission to use your face,” said Encinal junior Madelyn Fairbanks.

The matter of deepfakes is one that cannot be ignored due to the inclination of AI and its use. Schools should also be aware of this issue, as it can be a breeding ground for increased harassment and bullying. These images can happen anytime, anywhere as the chatbot has made it simple to use. It’s important to remember that any victim has the right to take this problem to court, seek assistance, and talk about it.