Fake Images, Real Pain: How We Protect Young People and Support Those Affected

A video showing you naked suddenly appears online—but the situation depicted in the video never actually happened. It’s an AI-generated deepfake. AI applications are evolving rapidly. While AI-generated images and videos were often clearly recognizable as such just four years ago, distinguishing between real and fake is often much more difficult today. So-called deepfakes can now be created by almost anyone in a short amount of time with just a few clicks using certain AI tools. It’s no longer just celebrities like Taylor Swift who are affected. AI applications that make it possible to create sexualized deepfakes of minors are particularly problematic.

To mark the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, the German complaint centers eco, FSM, and jugendschutz.net are hosting a joint webinar dedicated to the topic of “Deepfakes in the Context of Digital Sexualized Violence.” The complaint centers will report on their practical experience and shed light on current legal developments and challenges.

The webinar will feature a representative from “Nummer gegen Kummer,” who will share the perspective of those affected: What impact do deepfakes and digital violence have on young people, and how can they best be supported and guided?

The event will take place online via GoTo Webinar on November 18, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.Participation is free of charge. Please register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3443797319671417685.