AI Is Generating Nude Pictures of Minors

AI is no longer confined to solving complex problems or improving daily life, it’s also being misused in alarming ways. Among the latest AI threats are “Nudify” websites and apps that create hyper-realistic, nude images of individuals using their fully clothed photos. These platforms, accessible with just a few clicks, are wreaking havoc in schools and leaving young victims to grapple with severe emotional fallout.

Let’s unpack this growing issue, its implications, and why it demands urgent attention.

How AI is Weaponized Against Teens

Last October, Francesca Mani, a 14-year-old high school student in New Jersey, learned firsthand about the dangers of AI misuse. While sitting in her history class, rumors swirled about boys possessing explicit photos of female classmates. To her horror, Francesca discovered that doctored nude images of her and others had been created using an AI-based “nudify” site called ‘Clothoff’.

These websites, which use AI to remove clothing from images, can make the resulting photos look shockingly real. With more than 100 such platforms operating worldwide, and some like ‘Clothoff’ boasting millions of visits monthly, the problem is far from isolated.

Schools Struggle to Respond

When Francesca’s school discovered the doctored images, administrators responded by summoning the victims, rather than the perpetrators, to the principal’s office. Francesca describes walking through the halls as boys laughed at the girls’ distress.

The school’s initial response, a one-day suspension for one boy, sparked outrage. Francesca’s mother, Dorota, who is also an educator, filed a police report. She emphasized that digital content isn’t easily erased. 

The Role of Social Media and Payment Services

“Nudify” sites like ‘Clothoff’ not only exploit AI but also weaponize social media. Users are encouraged to share their AI-generated creations online, often targeting minors whose photos are sourced from public Instagram or Facebook accounts.

Additionally, these websites cleverly bypass regulations by disguising payments. They redirect transactions through dummy websites, making it appear as though customers are purchasing innocuous items like flowers or photography classes. Payment platforms like PayPal and Google Pay are unwittingly complicit, as these activities directly violate their policies.

Why AI Policing is Nearly Impossible

Many of these sites claim to have safeguards, such as requiring users to confirm they are over 18 and prohibiting the upload of images without consent. However, these measures are superficial. The lack of enforcement allows minors to fall victim to non-consensual exploitation, with no clear path for justice.

The Psychological Toll on Victims

For victims like Francesca, the damage goes beyond the immediate shock. Knowing an explicit image, even a fake one, might be circulating online creates lasting trauma. The societal double standards only make it worse.

What Can Be Done?

While schools and parents scramble to address these issues, several steps can help combat this alarming trend:

1. Educate Students and Parents

• Hold workshops on digital safety.
• Teach students about the dangers of sharing personal photos online.

2. Update Policies

• Schools must revise their harassment and bullying policies to include AI misuse.
• Schools must outline and enforce clear consequences for perpetrators.

3. Advocate for Stronger Legislation

• Push for laws that criminalize non-consensual AI-generated content.
• Advocate for tech companies to improve AI detection tools.

4. Limit Public Exposure

• Encourage parents to make their children’s social media profiles private.
• Avoid sharing photos of minors online without strict privacy settings.

A Warning for the Future

The rise of “nudify” sites starkly reminds us how easily people can twist technology into a weapon. Parents, educators, and policymakers need to work together to safeguard young people from this growing threat.