Protecting Your Child: Navigating Deepfake Bullying When Learning Differences Make Them a Target

As a parent, few things are more heartbreaking than watching your child come home from school withdrawn, anxious, or tearful after another day of bullying. For children with learning differences—like dyslexia, ADHD, or autism—these experiences are often amplified, turning everyday school interactions into a minefield of exclusion and mockery. Now, imagine that torment extending beyond the playground into the digital realm, where artificial intelligence can fabricate videos of your child stumbling over words, behaving erratically, or even in fabricated humiliating scenarios tied to their disability. This is the harsh reality of deepfake bullying, a growing threat that’s reshaping how kids with vulnerabilities are targeted.

In Australia, where school bullying already affects one in four students, deepfakes are emerging as a weapon of choice for harassers, exploiting the permanence and virality of online content. Recent surveys show that 13% of K-12 school principals have dealt with deepfake-related bullying incidents, often involving AI-generated images or videos that humiliate victims by making them appear to say or do things they never did. For kids with learning differences, who may already struggle with social cues or academic pressures, these fabricated attacks can feel like an inescapable nightmare. This article draws on the latest research and expert guidance to equip you with the knowledge and tools to protect your child, report incidents, and foster resilience.

What Are Deepfakes, and How Are They Weaponized in School Bullying?

Deepfakes are synthetic media—images, videos, or audio—created using generative artificial intelligence (AI) that convincingly mimics real people. Unlike traditional photo editing, which requires skill and time, AI tools like those powered by Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) can swap faces, alter voices, or fabricate entire scenes in minutes, often using just a smartphone app. What starts as a harmless photo from a school event can be twisted into a video of a child “confessing” to a mistake tied to their learning difference, like “admitting” they cheated on a test because of dyslexia, or appearing to lash out in frustration during a meltdown.

In schools, this technology is fueling a surge in cyberbullying. A 2025 report from the National Education Association highlights how young students, particularly girls but increasingly boys with visible differences, are targeted with deepfake nudes or embarrassing clips shared in group chats or on social platforms. In one chilling case shared on X (formerly Twitter), a 16-year-old girl endured seven months of deepfake videos superimposing her face onto nude bodies, sent to her family alongside death threats—even after a restraining order. While not every incident involves explicit content, the ease of creation means bullies can tailor attacks to exploit insecurities, such as fabricating a video of a child with ADHD “disrupting” class or a dyslexic student “failing” dramatically.

Australian authorities like the eSafety Commissioner have noted a spike in school-related deepfake abuse, disrupting not just individual lives but entire communities. Experts warn that without intervention, this could escalate, as AI tools become more accessible—nearly 50% of students report witnessing deepfake bullying in their schools.