Deepfakes: When Seeing Isn't Believing
AI Can Create Things That Never Happened
AI can now generate photos, videos, and audio of real people saying or doing things they never said or did. These are called deepfakes — and they're getting harder to spot.
- A deepfake video might show a famous person saying something they never said
- Deepfake photos can create fake "evidence" of events that didn't happen
- Signs of a deepfake: blurry edges, weird eyes, unnatural shadows, voice that sounds slightly off
- Rule of thumb: if something seems shocking or unbelievable — it might be fake
- Always check the original source before sharing anything that could be a deepfake
Your Double-Check Move
You see a shocking video: a famous footballer saying something awful, or a "news clip" of a disaster. Your thumb hovers over Share. Stop! Here's your double-check move — it takes two minutes. Step one: notice the feeling. Deepfakes are built to make you gasp, laugh, or rage instantly, so big feelings are your alarm bell. Step two: grab a grown-up and watch it together. Step three: search for the story on a real news site — if it truly happened, careful reporters will have it too. Step four: if you can't confirm it, don't share it. Passing on a fake — even by accident — spreads the trick to everyone who trusts you.
- Shocking + urgent feelings = your alarm bell for fakes
- Check with a grown-up and a trusted news source before believing
- Can't confirm it? Don't share it — not even "just in case"
- Every un-shared fake is a win for the truth team
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