Verizon warns against the hidden threat affecting 1 in 10 teens

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is both impressive and a bit concerning. With powerful tools like image and video generation now accessible to just about anyone, it was only a matter of time before deepfakes and fake images started flooding the web. That is why it is so important to know how to spot them and avoid falling for scams.

And Verizon agrees, which is why the carrier shared some useful tips on teaching your teenagers how to identify deepfakes. These AI-generated images or videos are designed to look real, often with the intent to deceive, manipulate or even harass.


Deepfakes are more common than you might think, and they are already affecting teenagers in a big way. A recent study found that 1 in 10 teens knows someone who has been a target of one. That means in just about every classroom, at least one student has dealt with the fallout of AI-generated deception. And since a lot of teens don’t report these things, the actual number is probably even worse.

So, before you believe, share or react to a video or image online – especially if it is just floating around on social media with no credible source behind it – ask yourself a few key questions: Does this actually seem real? Who is behind it? If something looks sketchy or too good to be true, don’t just assume it is legit.

As for the news, Verizon advises to stick with sources you know and trust instead of random posts online. And if it is about a product, check the brand’s official site. When you are unsure about an image or video, you can also try running a reverse search with tools like Google Lens or check fact-checking sites like Snopes. The internet is full of fakes, but a little skepticism can go a long way.

Now, while AI is evolving at an insane pace and we are already seeing tools like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo 2 whipping up hyper-realistic videos in seconds, it isn’t perfect. It still slips up and if you look closely, you will catch the glitches. That is why it is important to know what to watch for when spotting deepfakes.