Disrupting sexualised deepfake abuse: Exploring young people's postdigital sexual ethics

• In Event: Technology-Facilitated Violence: Harms, Attitudes and Victimisation Experiences

Abstract

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has come the proliferation of sexualised deepfake abuse (SDA) as a relatively novel form of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA). The majority of non-consensual sexualised deepfakes are created depicting women, girls and gender minorities. Young people, particularly within marginalised groups, are both perpetrating and experiencing SDA at higher rates than other age groups. This is occurring within a context of increased misogyny online and in schools among young people. However, Australian and UK Government’s legal, policy and media responses to SDA, have not adequately acknowledged the role of social and cultural attitudes and norms as drivers of SDA. This paper will present on initial findings from focus groups with young people aged 16-22 based in Australia and England, exploring young people’s sexual ethics and consent attitudes within the context of sexualised deepfake creation, consumption and sharing. This project will draw upon a rights-based approach to SDA prevention and Carmody’s ethical erotics. This approach aims to incorporate young people’s existing (post)digital sexual ‘ethics’ into SDA prevention, moving beyond risk-based approaches to IBSA prevention, toward an acknowledgment of youth sexual agency and their potential for positive digital sexual interactions. Knowledge regarding young people’s attitudes, beliefs and practices in the context of their digital sexual image creation, consumption and sharing, may then inform the development of SDA prevention and educational resources.

Author

• Ruby Sciberras, Monash University, CEVAW