In today’s fast-moving digital world, artificial intelligence (AI) is not just shaping our future—it’s transforming our present. At the forefront of this change is Google’s latest innovation, Veo 3, a groundbreaking tool capable of generating hyper-realistic videos from simple text or image prompts. But with this leap forward comes a serious challenge: the rise of deepfakes. These AI-generated videos and audio clips can mimic real people with astonishing accuracy, raising critical concerns about truth, trust, and the safety of our children online.

Parent Video

What is deepfake?

• Deepfake is a type of synthetic media created using AI, particularly deep learning techniques, to manipulate or generate visual and audio content that appears real
• The term is a combination of “deep learning” and “fake"
• The final product is polished to make the manipulation as seamless and convincing as possible
• As deepfakes become more advanced, it's harder to distinguish real from fake content

What is Google Veo 3?

• Google Veo 3 is Google's most advanced AI video generation model
• This tool enables the creation of highly realistic deepfakes at an affordable cost
• It can transform text descriptions or image prompts into high-definition video clips
• Veo 3 can generate synchronized dialogue, ambient sounds (like traffic or birdsong), and background music directly within the video, making clips remarkably lifelike

What are the dangers of deepfake videos?

• As deepfake videos continue to improve, the lines between reality and fiction are blurred
• Deepfake videos can be created and shared of political leaders or other public figures
• Scammers can use these videos to impersonate CEOs or family members to extort money
• Non-consensual deepfake pornography videos can be created as harassment or bullying
• They threaten to undermine trust in media, social discourse, and even personal relationships

What can parents do?

• Engage with your children online and initiate discussions about the content they encounter
• Ask open-ended questions like, "Have you ever seen a deepfake?" and "How can you differentiate between fake and real online content?"
• These discussions foster critical thinking, helping your children discern the authenticity of digital material
• Encourage your children to fact-check suspicious content, using reverse image searches and reliable fact-checking websites

Additional Resources for Parents

AI for Student Success: Being Productive & Learning Future Skills

ChatGPT Guide: What Parents, Educators, & Students Need to Know

How to Use AI for College Prep: What Parents, Educators, & Students Need to Know

Nudify App Dangers: What Parents Need to Know

Ultimate Guide to Sextortion, Online Enticement, Teen Sex Trafficking, and Human Trafficking

Conclusion

As tools like Google Veo 3 bring deepfake technology into the mainstream, the responsibility to navigate this new digital terrain becomes more urgent—especially for parents. By staying informed, talking openly with our children, and teaching them to question what they see online, we can empower the next generation to use these tools responsibly. Deepfakes may be redefining what we can believe with our eyes and ears, but with awareness and guidance, we can ensure they don’t rewrite our values.