Hunter School of Performing Arts suspended student over AI generated explicit photos involving other students
A women and children’s advocate has labelled an AI-nude photo scandal at a Newcastle school as “damaging” with an increasing amount of victims being impacted across the country.
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A women and children’s advocate has labelled an AI-nude photo scandal at a Newcastle school as “damaging” for all those involved citing there is an increased amount of young girls becoming victim to “digital-generated assaults”.
Parents and students at the Hunter School of Performing Arts at Broadmeadow have been left outraged after a student who was suspended for creating hundreds of AI-generated explicit photos of female students has been allowed back into the classroom.
On May 23, the school become aware of a male student reported to have doctored almost 300 images of schoolgirls using AI technology, some as young as 12.
It is understood the student was suspended for nine days.
In a letter to parents who had students affected by the incident, principal Darren Ponman said the school was taking the matter “very seriously” and intervening in a variety of ways to support those involved.
Movement Director at Collective Shout Melinda Tankard Reist said unfortunately this type of practice is becoming more common where girls are having their faces superimposed onto explicit images and circulated across social media.
“I’m hearing these stories more often in schools all over the country involving thousands of young people and I have met girls this has happened to it’s absolutely devastating for,” she said.
“It’s a form a sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying to degrade girls like this and becoming a bigger problem thanks to the educating impacts of porn on an entire generation of boys which they think is acceptable and normal and okay to do.”
Ms Tankard Reist said innocent pictures shared harmlessly over social media are now being harvested to produce explicit images and it’s a problem that needs action immediately.
“This is a problem beyond schools, beyond parents because the fact is there are 32 companies that have created and selling undressing apps, nudifying apps to generate these images, to generate deep fake images of women and girls,” she explained.
“These apps are available and they are not banned, there’s no regulation of them so at Collective shout we’ve been trying to campaign to reign in and get these apps banned. We need a bigger response, a regulatory response.”
The incident at Hunter School of Performing Arts is currently being investigated by Newcastle Police and the Department of Education has confirmed “appropriate disciplinary action” was taken promptly after the school became aware of the incident.
“Student wellbeing is one of Hunter School of the Performing Arts’ highest priorities, and no inappropriate behaviour is tolerated, including behaviour outside school which affects students at school,” a NSW Department of Education spokesperson said.
“While this matter occurred entirely out of school, the role of the school is to educate students in how to remain safe online when using social media.”
The letter from the school to parents - obtained by The Daily Telegraph - said several year 8 and 9 students had been involved where images were taken from students’ social media accounts without their knowledge or consent and edit to create inappropriate content.
“It is understood that these manipulated images are now deleted and not shared widely but the incident has understandably caused distress and discomfort among the affected student,” Principal Ponman said in the statement.
“Impacted students are receiving ongoing, comprehensive support from the school and their families.
“In consideration of the wellbeing of those involved, I have asked that all students avoid discussing this incident with their peers and to consider appropriate support options if required.”
The statement also advised parents to supervise their child’s access to social media and to have ongoing conversations about online safety and responsible behaviour online.
The school also recommended strict digital curfews and the use of charging spaces which are not in student bedrooms.
Education Minister Prue Car has condemned any abusive online behaviour.
“Use of artificial intelligence to bully and harass other students is utterly unacceptable,” she said.
“All students in NSW, and anyone who would seek to harass others online, should be warned that this kind of behaviour will be met with the same response it would receive in real life.
“Abusive online behaviour has a real impact on victims, and must have real consequences for perpetrators.
“Police are now investigating this incident and I await their findings.”
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