How to talk with kids about deepfakes and the Take It Down Act
The FTC has new guidance for families on deepfakes and explicit images. Platforms must remove reported images of kids within 48 hours. Here is what to say.
Apps that can fake an image of a real person have made an old conversation harder. On Oct. 1, the Federal Trade Commission published guidance for families on deepfakes, online safety and the Take It Down Act.
The law gives families a tool. Covered platforms, including social media, messaging and photo- or video-sharing apps, must remove explicit images or deepfakes of a child within 48 hours of a request, along with identical copies. You can make a request or report a platform that does not follow the law at TakeItDown.ftc.gov.
The FTC suggests three messages for kids. First, do not share explicit images or deepfakes of anyone, even as a joke, because sharing explicit images of minors is a crime. Second, say no to requests for nude pictures. Third, if they see an explicit image of themselves or someone else online, tell a trusted adult.
How you start matters. A calm talk at a low-pressure time, like a car ride, tends to go better than a lecture after something has gone wrong. Make it clear that if they come to you, the first thing you will do is help, so they are not afraid to tell you.
If something has already happened, note the website or app where the image appears and use the FTC's removal page at TakeItDown.ftc.gov.
A good first step this weekend is to ask an open question, like whether anyone at school has used a face-swap app, and simply listen.
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