There is a troubling trend impacting schools, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students to create and distribute "deepfake" images of their peers. This can take the form of bullying or teasing of a student and can move into extreme cases of students producing explicit images of their peers.

While many students may understand this behaviour is morally wrong, they may not realise it is criminal. What some consider a "prank" is, under Australian law, a serious offence known as image-based abuse. As defined by the eSafety Commissioner, image-based abuse occurs “when someone shares, or threatens to share, an intimate image or video of a person.”

Importantly, the law treats fake (AI-generated) images the same as real ones. Distributing these images, or even forwarding them to others is an offence.

The victims of this abuse suffer serious psychological harm. The emotional trauma, feelings of shame, and fear of exposure can be overwhelming. Tragically, the consequences of such abuse have already proven devastating, as seen in the case of 15-year-old Matilda Rosewarne, who took her own life after becoming the target of this kind of harassment.

New laws introduced under the Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024 apply to anyone aged 10 and over. While there are safeguards and case-by-case discretion when minors are involved, the law still recognises this behaviour as criminal, even if carried out by a child or teen.

At GPCC, we are committed to creating a safe and respectful learning environment. In light of this issue, we encourage all families to:

• Talk openly with your children about the ethics and dangers of digital technology.
• Monitor online activity, especially on social media apps such as Snapchat and Instagram.
• Promote empathy, respect, and responsible online behaviour.
• Report any concerns immediately through the eSafety Commissioner’s platform.

Supporting young people to navigate the digital world safely and carefully is a shared responsibility. By working together at school and home, we can better protect our students and assist them in their decision making. If students are affected by this, getting help is important, whether through counselling at school or some external help, such as the eSafety Commission website (safety.gov.au). The site offers information on a range of topics and also provides links to support services such as Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline and Headspace.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our school community safe and informed.

Partners in Education

We warmly invite parents and carers to our upcoming Partners in Education Evening where I will share practical insights to help families support students in their learning and wellbeing.

• Thursday, 5 June 2025, 7:30pm
• CAPA Theatre, Green Point Christian College, 382 Avoca Drive
• Bookings are essential via the website.