📌 Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s issue:

• The rise of AI-powered bullying: how deep fakes are being used to target kids in schools across the U.S.
  

• What to do the if your child becomes a victim, so you respond with calm, clarity, and control
  

• How to involve the school, support your child emotionally, and prevent long-term damage

🧠 The Big Idea: The New Face of Bullying

"Mom, I didn't do it. I swear."

Imagine your kid walking through the door, sobbing, their voice trembling.

Someone had played them a video recorded in a group chat at school.

They look just like them.

Their voice. Their face.

But it’s not them.

And yet none of the other kids will listen.

That's the new terror for kids in the age of deep fakes.

We’re not just talking about fake celeb videos or political hoaxes.

We’re talking about middle schoolers and high schoolers being targeted by classmates who weaponized AI to humiliate, destroy reputations, and inflict real pain.

A CBS News investigation found that 6% of U.S. teens—that’s about 1 in 17—have been the target of AI-generated deep fake images, often shared in private chats that spiral into schoolwide ridicule.

TCU Ph.D. student Dr. Sergio Alexander, who is working on a study of school harassment created by AI, warned:

"Students aren't just being bullied in group messages or hallways. They're being bullied by artificial content that can manipulate their identities, embarrass them publicly and leave them long-term psychological scars—never even meeting them in the same room." 

These applications—"nudify" programs, voice changers, meme makers—are normally accessed from the App Store or Google Play. 

What starts as harmless entertainment can quickly turn wicked as teens utilize them to make videos of classmates crying, announcing mock secrets, or reenacting embarrassing situations.

In Beverly Hills, middle schoolers were expelled for creating similar deep fakes of classmates . 

And in Miami, two boys were arrested for sharing fabricated nude images of a classmate.

Then, in New Jersey, Westfield High student Francesca Mani became the face of a major battle against deepfake abuse after classmates used AI to create and distribute explicit images of her and others.

While as parents we all hope nothing like that ever happens, Mani turned her experience into activism, helping drive New Jersey’s 2025 law that makes non-consensual deep fakes a third-degree crime, and pushing for federal reforms like the Take It Down Act.

The Psychological harm from “synthetic bullying” is anything but minor:

• Humiliation that follows your child through school hallways

• Fear of facing friends who have seen the prank

• Anxiety and depression, and even suicidal tendencies in extreme cases

The Wall Street Journal reported that although victims might be able to confirm videos as false, classmates still behave as if they're real—calling them "dirty," "untrustworthy," or "weird." 

Schools are running for cover as they create policies that recognize AI harassment. 

Dr. Alexander indicates, districts have social media and phone codes—but few reference AI-generated content or give any guidance on what to do about it. 

This is not another technology scare, however. It's an epidemic in the real world:

Parents hear frequently, "It was just a joke." 

But when that joke ruins friendships, grades, and mental health, it is not a joke, it is emotional violence.

The good news? 

You're already doing the most powerful thing: you care.

You're here. You're listening. You're preparing.

The best news? 

You don't have to do this in isolation, and you don't have to question what to do next.

In the Action Plan below, you'll find clear steps to keep your child safe, report incidents, and recover if they are ever, God forbid, the victim of a deep fake.

FINALLY! The Non-Techie Parent’s Survival Guide To Raising Confident, AI-Savvy Kids Who Will Lead The Next Generation!

Bridge the digital divide and connect with your children on a deeper level! 'The 30 AI Conversations Book' provides the easy-to-understand strategies and practical tools you need to guide your family through the complexities of AI, fostering not just users, but future innovators and ethical leaders.  No PhD in computer science required!

💬 Future Proof Parent ACTION Plan

What to Do if Your Child Is Targeted by a Deepfake

If your child becomes the target of AI-generated bullying, it’s easy to feel powerless. But you’re not. Here’s how to take control and support your child through the chaos:

1. Stay Calm, Stay Open

When your child tells you—or you discover—something has happened, resist the urge to panic or overreact. Your calm presence is their anchor.

Say:

“I believe you. I’m here to help. We’ll figure this out together.”

Kids often stay silent because they’re scared you’ll be angry or ashamed. Showing compassion first keeps communication open.

2. Validate Their Emotions

Don’t downplay it. Don’t say “just ignore it.”

Reinforcing that feeling humiliated, anxious, or even scared is completely normal.

3. Document Everything

Take screenshots. Save videos. Record who’s sharing it and where.

If possible, back up the content on a secure device.

This will be critical if you need to speak to school administrators or law enforcement.

4. Get the School Involved Immediately

Email the school counselor, principal, or digital safety officer and explain what’s happening and ask for a formal meeting.

Here’s what to include:

• That your child is being targeted by a deep fake
  

• The emotional impact (missed school, social withdrawal, etc.)
  

• A request for disciplinary investigation and support services
  

If they seem dismissive, escalate. You have every right to protect your child.

5. Offer Your Child an Emotional Lifeline

Make sure they know this moment doesn’t define them.

Remind them:

“You’re not broken. You’re not ruined. You are not alone.”

This is a good time to bring in a professional therapist, especially if your child shows signs of withdrawal, insomnia, or shame. Early intervention can make a world of difference.

6. Talk About Trust & Tech Going Forward

This is a teachable moment. Discuss how easily AI tools can be abused and how to recognize deep fakes in the future.

More importantly, build trust so they come to you before things spiral.

Say:

“You never have to be perfect online. You just have to be honest with me.”

7. Let Them Heal at Their Pace

Don’t rush them to “get over it.” Let them guide how much they want to talk, share, or engage socially.

Help them reconnect with friends who support them—and give them space from anyone who doesn't.

Deep fake bullying is a terrifying new threat, and your support is their first and best defense.

🐝 What’s Buzzing for Mom & Dad Today

Big shifts are happening fast: from AI stepping into the co-parenting role to real concerns about how it's shaping our kids' creativity. Here’s what Future Proof Parents are digging into right now:

🧠 Who’s Really Shaping Your Child’s Beliefs?

OpenAI uncovered secret propaganda campaigns from Russia, China, Iran, and Israel—using AI-generated content to quietly manipulate online conversations.
These efforts aren’t just targeting elections. They’re creeping into the feeds and forums where your child learns, jokes, and forms opinions.
🌐 See what’s happening behind the screen →

🇨🇳 AI in the Classroom—Until the Tests Begin

China promotes AI use in education—but shuts it down entirely during national exams.
Why? Because even the most tech-forward system knows AI can accelerate learning and undermine integrity in the same breath.
That’s the tightrope schools everywhere will have to walk.
🧪 See how China is drawing the line →

🚁 The Sky Is No Longer Empty

Walmart just expanded drone delivery to over 75% of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
That’s not a test—it’s the new normal.
Your child is growing up in a world where drones will be as common as delivery vans. For your grandkids, the sky might be as busy as the streets.
📦 See the future overhead →

Working together to future-proof the next generation!

AIVA (Artificial Intelligence. Very Aware.)
Your friendly guide to the AI era