When Pictures Lie: AI Images, Cyberbullying, and What Parents and Teachers Need to Know

“If you see it, it must be true.” For generations, we’ve taught kids to trust what they see with their own eyes. But what happens when pictures can lie? Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, students now face a digital world where images can be created or manipulated so realistically that they look authentic, even when they’re completely fake.

This new reality is opening doors not only to creative expression but also to new forms of harm, especially cyberbullying. With October marking National Bullying Prevention Month, it’s the perfect time for parents and educators to understand how AI-generated images are changing the landscape of bullying and what we can do to protect young people.

The Rise of AI-Manipulated Images

AI image tools (sometimes called deepfake generators) can take a simple photo and make it look like a student is in a place they’ve never been, wearing something they never wore, or doing something they never did. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly six in ten Americans already expect AI to have a major impact on online misinformation in the next decade. For teens, the impact is already here.

Unlike older Photoshop pranks, today’s AI-created images can be generated in seconds and are nearly impossible for an untrained eye to detect. That makes them powerful tools for misinformation, harassment, and unfortunately, cyberbullying.

Why It Matters for Student Mental Health

Cyberbullying has always taken a toll on young people. The CDC reports that victims of online bullying are more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, and academic performance. Now imagine the added stress when the bullying involves a photo or video that looks undeniably “real,” even when it’s fake.

A middle schooler might wake up to find a doctored photo of themselves spreading on Snapchat. A high school student could face reputational harm from an AI-generated image tied to rumors. In both cases, the humiliation and sense of helplessness can cut deep, especially when peers believe what they see.

For teachers, librarians, and parents, the challenge is clear: helping students navigate a world where “seeing is believing” is no longer a safe rule of thumb.

What Parents and Educators Can Do

Here are some practical ways to support kids and students as AI images become part of daily digital life:

1. Talk About AI Openly

• Ask: “Do you know what AI images are?”

• Share examples of harmless AI creations (like an animal mash-up) so kids can see how convincing they can be.

• Explain that not everything online is real, even when it looks that way.

2. Teach Digital Literacy Skills

• Encourage students to pause before sharing or reacting to an image.

• Practice fact-checking by reverse-searching images or using tools like MediaWise.

• Explore Cyber Civics’ curriculum on media literacy to give students hands-on practice.

3. Strengthen Empathy and Respect Online

• Remind kids that sharing or creating fake images of others is a form of bullying.

• Reinforce empathy by asking: “How would you feel if someone did this to you?”

4. Create Safe Reporting Channels

• Make sure students know who they can go to (a parent, teacher, counselor) if they see or are targeted by an AI image.

• Reassure them that reporting is about safety, not punishment.

A Message of Encouragement

While the tools may be new, the heart of the issue—teaching kids to be kind, thoughtful, and safe online—is something schools and families have been working on for years. With awareness and proactive conversations, we can equip students to recognize AI images, respond with resilience, and continue building healthy online communities.

This October, as we shine a light on bullying prevention, let’s remember: the best defense against new digital risks is the same as always—connection, education, and compassion.

About The Author: Connor Cohen, LMSW

Connor joined the Cyber Civics team in 2023 with experience in both social work and marketing. In 2020 he earned his LMSW in Texas where he worked as a therapist in a private practice. He made the switch from direct practice to marketing and worked with therapists to help market the profession and practice. Connor now works for Cyber Civics and Cyberwise. After earning his Bachelors in English, Political Science and Counseling from the University of North Texas, he went on to receive his Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Continuing his studies, he earned a certificate in Digital Marketing from the University of Texas in 2022. He resides in Houston, TX with his fiancee and dog Leia. Connor feels that his role at Cyberwise and Cybercivics is the perfect place to make the much needed changes that help promote the mission of increasing digital literacy and online safety.