A commentary on sexting, sextortion, and generative AI: Risks, deception, and digital vulnerability

Objective

We provide a commentary that includes three expert reflections on the impacts of generative AI on sexting and sextortion—an emerging issue amongst youth across the globe.

Background

At the intersection of sexting and generative AI is an emerging, problematic social phenomenon where nude images are being created using AI and shared within teen and young adult populations. This type of online abuse and sextortion has gained recent attention within global news outlets due to the social strife taking place in schools and communities, even prompting the FBI to release multiple public service announcements in 2023 and 2024.

Disciplinary Perspectives

Three experts from psychology, legal, and human–computer interaction domains provide their perspectives related to generative AI, sexting, and sextortion based on emerging accounts of this issue. Across the three perspectives, privacy and consent were consistent themes as were the impacts on trust, relationships, and families.

Conclusion

Future research at the intersections of policy, technology, family relationships, community education, and ethical applications of technology are essential to address this emerging threat to children and families.

Implications

In addition to the many benefits extolled about generative AI, misuse of this technology will continue to be associated with negative consequences for children and families. The multidisciplinary perspectives demonstrate current and potential future issues. Negative consequences of generative AI for children and families should be further examined.