For many parents, sharing photos of their children online was once an accepted, even expected, part of parenthood. But a new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is changing the calculus, pushing more families – like mine – to keep their kids off social media altogether.
The issue isn’t new: concerns about online predators and data harvesting have long lingered around “sharenting,” the practice of sharing children’s photos online. However, these fears are now dwarfed by a terrifyingly accessible threat: AI-powered “nudifier” apps. These tools can generate hyperrealistic fake nude images of anyone using just a few snapshots found on social media.
While many parents might already be wary of explicit content, the danger here is twofold. First, the technology itself is shockingly simple and inexpensive. Many nudifier apps offer free trials, making them readily available to even teenagers with limited access to funds. Second, these fake images carry the same emotional weight as real ones – a point driven home by reports of students using the technology against their classmates, causing immense trauma.
The ethical dilemma is stark: posting photos of your child online could inadvertently fuel this weaponization. Even if your intention is innocent, those pictures can be ripped from the internet and used in ways you never imagined. A new federal law criminalizes sharing nonconsensual fake nudes online, but it does little to stem the tide of these apps proliferating across the web. Dozens of nudifier sites are raking in millions each year, demonstrating a clear business model fueled by our digital anxieties.
Alexios Mantzarlis, founder of tech publication Indicator, sums up the chilling reality: “It’s everywhere. Any kid with access to the internet can both be a victim or a perpetrator.”
This AI-powered danger is forcing parents like me to reconsider the seemingly harmless act of sharing photos online. It’s a stark reminder that the digital world moves faster than laws and ethics can catch up, leaving us struggling to protect our children in an increasingly complex landscape.
