AI, Deepfakes And Online Safety: What Governors Need To Know

2 days ago
5 min read

Learn how AI and deepfakes are changing online safety in schools and what governors need to know to strengthen safeguarding and oversight.

AI, Deepfakes And Online Safety

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education. From lesson planning and administrative tasks to personalised learning, AI has the potential to improve how schools operate and support pupils. However, alongside these opportunities come new safeguarding challenges that governing boards cannot afford to ignore.

One of the most significant emerging risks is the misuse of AI to create realistic but false content, commonly known as deepfakes. These technologies can be used to manipulate images, audio and videos in ways that are increasingly difficult to detect, creating new risks for children, staff and schools.

For governors, understanding these developments is no longer optional. Effective safeguarding governance requires awareness of emerging online risks, confidence in asking the right questions and assurance that schools are responding appropriately.

This guide explains how AI is changing online safety, what governors should be considering and how schools can strengthen their safeguarding arrangements.

Why AI Matters For School Safeguarding

Artificial intelligence is now widely accessible.

Many pupils are already using AI-powered tools for:

Homework support
Image generation
Chatbots
Content creation
Language translation
Revision
Coding assistance

While these technologies offer genuine educational benefits, they also introduce safeguarding challenges that schools must manage carefully.

Effective AI safeguarding in schools is not about preventing technology from being used. It is about ensuring pupils use it safely, ethically and responsibly.

Governors should therefore view AI as both an opportunity and a safeguarding consideration.

What Are Deepfakes?

A deepfake is an image, video or audio recording that has been created or altered using artificial intelligence to make it appear authentic.

Deepfakes can:

Replace someone's face in a video
Clone a person's voice
Generate realistic photographs
Create fake conversations
Produce convincing but entirely fictional events

As AI technology becomes more advanced, distinguishing genuine content from manipulated content becomes increasingly difficult.

Why Deepfakes Are A Safeguarding Concern

Deepfakes present several safeguarding risks for schools. These include:

Cyberbullying

Pupils may create manipulated images or videos designed to embarrass or humiliate others.

This can have a significant impact on emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Child-On-Child Abuse

AI-generated content may be used to harass, intimidate or exploit other children.

Schools should ensure staff understand that online abuse can be just as harmful as abuse occurring face to face.

Sexually Explicit Deepfakes

One of the most concerning developments is the creation of fake intimate images.

Children and young people may become victims without ever sharing inappropriate photographs themselves.

These incidents can have devastating emotional, social and safeguarding consequences.

Misinformation

AI-generated content can spread false information rapidly.

Helping pupils develop critical thinking and digital literacy is becoming increasingly important.

Fraud And Impersonation

Voice cloning and AI-generated messages can be used to impersonate trusted adults, family members or organisations.

Teaching pupils how to question digital content is now an essential aspect of online safety.

The Governor's Role In Online Safety

Governors are not expected to become technical experts in artificial intelligence.

However, they do have a responsibility to ensure schools understand emerging safeguarding risks.

Effective governance includes seeking assurance that:

Online safety is regularly reviewed.
AI risks are discussed within safeguarding arrangements.
Appropriate policies are in place.
Staff receive relevant training.
Pupils receive age-appropriate education.
Parents are supported to understand emerging risks.

Governors should recognise that online safety continues to evolve rapidly.

Questions Governors Should Be Asking

Governors can strengthen safeguarding by asking thoughtful questions such as:

Has our online safety policy been updated to reflect AI developments?
Are staff confident in recognising AI-related safeguarding concerns?
How are pupils being taught about deepfakes?
Do our filtering and monitoring systems remain effective?
How are online incidents recorded and reviewed?
What support is available for pupils affected by online abuse?
How are parents informed about emerging digital risks?

These questions help move safeguarding beyond compliance and towards continuous improvement.

Online Safety Is About More Than Technology

Technology alone cannot keep children safe.

Strong online safeguarding also depends upon:

Positive relationships
Trusted adults
Digital resilience
Open conversations
Clear reporting systems
Effective safeguarding culture

Children should feel confident reporting concerns without fear of blame or punishment.

Supporting Staff

School staff also require ongoing support.

AI is developing quickly, meaning safeguarding knowledge must keep pace.

Training should help staff:

Understand AI developments.
Recognise emerging safeguarding risks.
Respond confidently to incidents.
Record concerns appropriately.
Support children affected by online abuse.

Confidence comes from understanding, not fear.

Supporting Parents And Carers

Many parents are unfamiliar with how quickly AI technology is developing.

Schools can support families by:

Sharing practical guidance.
Hosting online safety workshops.
Providing trusted resources.
Explaining emerging risks.
Encouraging open conversations at home.

Strong partnerships between schools and families improve safeguarding outcomes.

Building A Culture Of Digital Safety

The safest schools are not necessarily those with the most sophisticated technology.

They are schools where:

Children feel listened to.
Staff understand safeguarding responsibilities.
Leaders promote curiosity rather than panic.
Policies are regularly reviewed.
Emerging risks are discussed openly.
Governors provide informed challenge.

Creating this culture requires continuous reflection and learning.

Why Online Safeguarding Training Is Important

Technology evolves far more quickly than most safeguarding policies.

High-quality online safeguarding training helps governors, leaders and staff:

Understand emerging AI risks.
Recognise deepfake-related concerns.
Strengthen online safety practice.
Keep policies up to date.
Improve safeguarding governance.
Build confidence when responding to digital incidents.

Rather than reacting to new technologies, schools can take a proactive approach that protects children while enabling them to benefit from digital innovation.

Common Misconceptions

"Deepfakes only affect celebrities."

Deepfake technology is increasingly accessible, meaning anyone can become a target.

"Our pupils are too young."

AI-powered tools are widely available and are already being used by children of many different ages.

"Filtering software solves the problem."

Filtering is important, but education, supervision and safeguarding culture remain essential.

"AI is only an ICT issue."

AI affects safeguarding, leadership, governance, behaviour, wellbeing and pastoral care.

It should be considered as a whole-school safeguarding issue.

Preparing For The Future

Artificial intelligence will continue to develop.

Schools that remain informed, invest in training and regularly review their safeguarding arrangements will be better placed to respond confidently to future challenges.

Governors have an important role in ensuring schools remain proactive rather than reactive.

By asking the right questions and maintaining effective oversight, governing boards can help create safer digital environments for children and young people.

Safeguarding Training & Online Safety Support

AI and deepfakes are changing the safeguarding landscape, making it more important than ever for governors, leaders and school staff to understand emerging online risks.

If your governing board would benefit from practical, engaging safeguarding training, or you're looking to strengthen safeguarding governance within your school or organisation, I'm here to help.

Whether you're supporting a maintained school, academy, alternative provision or specialist setting, I provide safeguarding training designed to help governors understand their role and make a meaningful difference.

Ready to strengthen safeguarding within your governing board or organisation? You can find out when my Governor Safeguarding Training and Safeguarding In Practice Training sessions are next running and book your place today.

I also offer 1:1 Safeguarding Supervision and Group Safeguarding Supervision for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), deputy DSLs, safeguarding leads and professionals working with children and young people.

Furthermore, I regularly run Online Safety For Parents.

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