CDT Research Reveals Widespread Tech-Powered Sexual Harassment in K-12 Public Schools

(WASHINGTON, DC) — The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) today published new survey research that uncovers the extensive nature of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), both authentic and deepfake, in K-12 public schools. The survey also found that schools are disproportionately focused on imposing severe consequences on students sharing NCII, versus taking preventative actions and providing support to victims.

“Sadly, in the past school year, the rise of generative AI has collided with a long-standing problem in schools: the act of sharing non-consensual intimate imagery,” said CDT President and CEO, Alexandra Reeve Givens. “In the digital age, kids desperately need support to navigate tech-enabled harassment, and schools hold important power to help curb these harms.”

CDT’s survey research found that in the past school year (2023-2024):

• 39% of students say that they have heard about NCII that depicts individuals associated with their school, representing 97 million out of 15.3 million public high school students in the U.S.
• 15% of students report that they know about AI-generated deepfake NCII that depicts individuals associated with their school, representing 30 million public high school students
• Not all people are affected equally – 51% of students who have heard about deepfake NCII at their school say that females are more likely to be depicted in deepfake NCII versus 14% who say males are more likely
• Schools have responded by taking harsh actions, but have done little to prevent the spread of NCII or support victims after it happens:
  • Only 5% of teachers say that their school has provided resources to victims of deepfake NCII to have images removed from social media or other online platforms where it appeared
  • 71% of teachers report that students who were caught sharing deepfake NCII were referred to law enforcement, expelled from school, or suspended for more than three days

“Schools’ hyperfocus on imposing serious consequences on perpetrators, including handing students over to law enforcement, does not alleviate a school of its responsibility to address sexual harassment under Title IX,” says Elizabeth Laird, Director of the Equity in Civic Technology Project at CDT. “Without meaningful efforts toward prevention, everyone involved is worse off. Schools should act now by addressing the deficiencies in prevention measures, improving support for victims, and involving parents as they develop policies on deepfakes and NCII.”

CDT’s research is based on nationally representative surveys of 6th-12th grade public school teachers and parents, and 9th-12th grade students, and is among the first efforts to quantify the scope and impact of the problem of NCII (both authentic and deepfake) specifically in the U.S. education system. The full text of the research report can be accessed at: https://cdt.org/insights/report-in-deep-trouble-surfacing-tech-powered-sexual-harassment-in-k-12-schools/

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is the leading nonpartisan, nonprofit organization fighting to advance civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age. We shape technology policy, governance, and design with a focus on equity and democratic values. Established in 1994, CDT has been a trusted advocate for digital rights since the earliest days of the internet. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has a Europe Office in Brussels, Belgium.

CONTACT:
Elizabeth Seeger, Center for Democracy & Technology
Press@cdt.org | (202) 407-8811

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