What AI Bullying Looks Like

AI bullying goes far beyond mean comments or embarrassing photos – now, it enables harassment that would have been impossible just a few years ago, and it's being used against children with devastating impacts.  For broader context on how children are targeted online, see our guide on the hidden dangers of social media. For those seeking to tackle it, here are a few ways in which AI Bullying shows up, and warning signs on what to look out for.

• Deepfakes create realistic but completely fabricated images or videos. These might show your child in embarrassing situations they were never in, saying things they never said, or doing things they'd never do. The technology has become so accessible that teenagers can create convincing results using free phone apps. According to a 2024 study by the Internet Watch Foundation, there was a 3,000% increase in deepfake abuse images between 2022 and 2023. Cases are emerging globally, and the output looks real enough that many people believe it, despite being entirely fabricated. For more on how this technology works, see our guide on what is a deepfake.
• Voice clones copy someone's voice from just a few seconds of audio, then generate new recordings of them saying whatever the creator wants. These are used to create threatening voicemails or recordings designed to damage reputations and relationships.
• Fake accounts powered by AI-generated profile photos look entirely authentic. Bullies impersonate their targets, posting content designed to embarrass them, damage friendships, or get them in trouble. The AI-generated faces look like real people, making these accounts harder to identify.
• AI chatbots can be weaponised to send cruel, personalised messages that adapt and escalate based on responses. Some bullies maintain sustained harassment campaigns this way without the effort of writing individual messages.
• Sextortion represents perhaps the most disturbing evolution. Bullies create fabricated sexual or nude images, then threaten to share them unless demands are met. These images exist purely through AI manipulation of clothed photos – nothing the victim did wrong.

If your child is targeted with sextortion or fabricated sexual images, report immediately to CEOP, StopNCII.org, or Report Harmful Content. For comprehensive guidance on this specific threat, see our article on what sextortion is and how to prevent it.

Warning Signs Your Child Might Be a Target of AI Bullying

Children often hide bullying out of shame, fear of losing device privileges, or worry that parents will overreact. According to research by Ofcom, 39% of UK children aged 8-17 have experienced bullying either online or offline, with 84% of these incidents happening on devices. The signs aren't always obvious, but patterns emerge when you know what to watch for.

• Sudden anxiety or withdrawal from activities they previously enjoyed suggests something's wrong. If your normally social child starts avoiding friends or refusing to attend school events, investigate.
• Mood changes when online provide clear signals. Watch for them becoming visibly upset, angry, or withdrawn after checking their phone. If they're reluctant to show you their screen or quickly close apps when you approach, that warrants investigation.
• Unknown messages or fake profiles appearing in their notifications might indicate impersonation or targeted harassment. If they mention seeing accounts that look like theirs but aren't, or receiving messages from people they don't recognise, take it seriously.
• Deleting posts or hiding chats that were previously visible suggests they're trying to control damage or hide evidence. Sudden privacy setting changes or account deletions might indicate they're being targeted.
• Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, or sleep disruption often accompany the stress of being bullied. Children experiencing sustained online harassment frequently develop physical manifestations of psychological distress.

You can parental control tools to confirm suspicious activity if they won't discuss what's happening. Apps like Bark specifically monitor for concerning content and alert you to potential bullying situations. For step-by-step guidance on setting up these tools, see our article on how to set up parental controls on iPhones, Androids, and home devices.

What to Do If You Suspect AI Bullying

Your response in the first 24-48 hours can significantly impact both the immediate situation and long-term recovery. Here's how to handle it systematically without panic.

1. Stay Calm and Gather Facts

I know that's easier said than done when you've just discovered someone's created fabricated images or is impersonating them online. But they need your calm, focused support more than your anger or panic.

• Ask what's happening without judgment or immediate reaction. Let them explain fully before you respond. Many children delay telling parents precisely because they fear the reaction, so proving they can trust you with difficult information matters enormously.
• Document everything before it disappears. Take screenshots of fake accounts, deepfakes, threatening messages, or any evidence. Include timestamps, usernames, and context. Don't just screenshot the worst bits – capture the pattern that shows sustained harassment rather than a single incident.
• Save content to multiple locations. Back up screenshots to cloud storage, email them to yourself, and keep copies on a separate device. Evidence often disappears quickly as platforms remove content or bullies delete accounts.
• Don't confront the bully or their parents yet. Your immediate priority is protecting your child and gathering evidence. Premature confrontation often makes bullies delete evidence, escalate harassment, or create new accounts to continue targeting.

2. Report Content to Platforms and Charities

Every major platform has reporting mechanisms for impersonation, harassment, and fabricated content. These aren't always effective, but creating official reports establishes documentation and sometimes results in swift removal.

• Report deepfakes and fabricated images through platform-specific reporting tools. Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook all have processes for reporting non-consensual intimate images and impersonation. Use the specific categories rather than generic ‘report abuse' options – platforms prioritise certain violation types.
• Report to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) if content is sexual in nature or if an adult appears involved. CEOP works with law enforcement and has authority to demand content removal and investigate perpetrators.
• Use StopNCII.org for intimate images, including AI-generated ones. This service creates unique digital fingerprints without storing the actual content, then works with participating platforms to prevent sharing. It's particularly valuable for preventing images from spreading across multiple platforms.
• Contact Report Harmful Content for guidance on UK-specific reporting options and support through the process. They can advise which authorities to involve and what evidence you'll need.
• Document all reports with confirmation numbers, dates, and any responses received. This creates a paper trail that proves you took appropriate action and can support legal proceedings if necessary.

3. Strengthen Privacy and Safety Settings

Whilst addressing current harassment, take steps to prevent future targeting and limit bullies' access to content they can manipulate.

• Lock down social media profiles to friends-only or private. Review every platform and restrict who can see posts, photos, and personal information. Bullies often harvest content from public profiles to create deepfakes or gather information for harassment. For platform-specific guidance, see our guide on how to use built-in parental controls on social media.
• Remove or restrict photos that could be used to create deepfakes. Consider temporarily removing profile photos or replacing them with images that don't show faces clearly. This isn't admitting defeat – it's strategic protection whilst the immediate threat is addressed.
• Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts to prevent bullies from accessing profiles or impersonating through hacked accounts. For guidance on securing accounts properly, see our article on building a family password system.
• Review friend lists and followers to identify fake accounts or people who might be involved. Remove anyone they don't know personally or trust completely.
• Disable location sharing across all apps and platforms. Bullies sometimes use location data to escalate harassment into real-world confrontation or to make their targeting more personal. While you're reviewing security settings, also ensure your home Wi-Fi network is secured to prevent unauthorised access.

4. Offer Emotional Support and Involve Schools

The psychological impact can be devastating. Children blame themselves, feel powerless, and worry that fabricated content will define them forever. Your response to their emotional needs matters as much as the practical steps you take.

• Reassure them it's not their fault. They often feel shame about being targeted, particularly when fabricated sexual images are involved. Be absolutely clear that they did nothing wrong and that the bullies bear full responsibility.
• Explain that fabricated content doesn't define them. One of the most distressing aspects is the fear that people will believe it's real. Help them understand that those who matter will support them, and that fabricated content, however convincing, remains fabricated.
• Consider professional support if they show signs of anxiety, depression, or trauma. Research shows that 64% of children who experience cyberbullying develop mental health issues. School counsellors, GPs, or therapists who specialise in cyberbullying can provide appropriate support. Don't wait for things to become severe – early intervention prevents lasting psychological damage.
• Involve the school strategically. Schools have safeguarding responsibilities and often have more authority over students than parents realise. Approach them with clear documentation of what's happening, specific examples of impact, and concrete requests for action.
• Present evidence of who's involved if the bullies attend the same school. Schools can address harassment through their behaviour policies, even when it occurs outside school hours on personal devices.
• Request specific interventions rather than vague promises to ‘look into it.' Ask for the bullies to be separated from your child in classes, for supervision during unstructured time, or for consequences that match the severity of AI-enabled harassment.

For guidance on approaching these conversations, see our article on how to talk to your kids about online safety.

Preventing Future Incidents

Once you've addressed the immediate situation, focus on reducing vulnerability to future targeting. Prevention doesn't guarantee safety, but it significantly reduces risk.

• Talk about digital consent and reputation. They need to understand that anything posted online can potentially be manipulated or used against them. This isn't victim-blaming – it's informed decision-making about what content to share publicly.
• Teach them to question what they see online. If AI can create fabricated images of anyone, building healthy scepticism protects them from believing manipulated content about others and helps them understand why some people might initially believe it about them.
• Review privacy and app permissions regularly. Make this a monthly family routine rather than a one-time fix. Apps update their privacy settings frequently, often resetting protections to less secure defaults. Regular reviews ensure settings remain appropriate.
• Keep monitoring tools active. Apps like Bark, Qustodio, or Net Nanny alert you to concerning patterns before they escalate. Monitoring doesn't prevent bullying, but it enables earlier intervention that limits damage. If you're unsure which app suits your family, read our guide on how to choose the right parental control app for your parenting style.
• Discuss AI capabilities and limitations. Children who understand how AI creates fabricated content, why it's convincing, and how to identify it are better equipped to recognise when they or others are being targeted. For a family-friendly explanation, see our guide on AI chatbots and the hidden dangers. You might also find it helpful to establish healthy family technology rules that cover AI use and online safety.

Quick AI Bullying Response Checklist for Parents

When you're dealing with AI bullying, having a clear checklist helps ensure you don't miss critical steps whilst managing the emotional stress of the situation.

• Watch for behaviour changes – anxiety, withdrawal, mood shifts tied to device use
• Save evidence before reporting – screenshots with timestamps, usernames, context
• Use parental controls – monitoring apps detect concerning patterns
• Report deepfakes or sextortion – CEOP, StopNCII.org, Report Harmful Content, platform reporting
• Reassure and support your child – emphasise it's not their fault, consider professional help
• Strengthen privacy settings – lock down profiles, enable two-factor authentication
• Involve school with documentation – clear evidence and specific requests for action
• Plan prevention strategies – regular privacy reviews, ongoing conversations about digital safety

Additional Resources

If you need further support beyond these immediate steps:

• NSPCC – Comprehensive guidance on cyberbullying for UK families
• Anti-Bullying Alliance – UK charity providing resources for parents and schools
• Internet Matters – Practical advice on tackling online bullying
• Childline – Confidential support for children (call 0800 1111)
• StopBullying.gov – US government resources on preventing and responding to bullying

Moving Forward

AI bullying represents a genuinely new and frightening evolution in how children can be targeted and harmed. According to a 2024 WHO/Europe study, 15% of adolescents have experienced cyberbullying, with rates increasing since 2018. Most parents aren't prepared for how sophisticated and convincing AI-generated content has become. But awareness and calm action work. By recognising signs early, using trusted reporting mechanisms, and providing appropriate emotional support, you can protect your child and help them recover from targeting that might otherwise cause lasting harm. Families who've navigated this successfully share common characteristics. They took the situation seriously without panicking. They documented everything systematically. They used every available resource – platform reporting, school involvement, law enforcement when appropriate, professional support when needed. They believed their child, supported them emotionally, and persisted until the harassment stopped. AI-enabled bullying won't disappear, and as my daughters grow, I know they'll face digital threats I can barely imagine now. But building awareness, maintaining open communication, and knowing how to respond effectively provides the best protection available. They need to know they can come to you when something goes wrong online without fear of punishment or device confiscation. They need to understand that asking for help is strength, not weakness. And they need to see that you'll respond calmly and effectively, taking appropriate action without creating unnecessary drama. Start this week by having one conversation about AI and online safety. Ask what they know about deepfakes, whether they've heard of AI being used to target anyone at school, and what they'd do if they saw fabricated content of themselves or someone else. Build understanding together, and you'll create a foundation of trust that serves you both when digital challenges inevitably emerge.