Mother says school encouraged her 'not to tell' daughter about deepfake scandal
Parents of girls targeted in an AI deepfake pornography incident at The Friends' School in Hobart have criticized the school's response, saying they were encouraged not to tell their daughters about the abuse. Five male students involved have left the school, and police are handling the matter under the Youth Justice Act without criminal charges. The education minister has referred a complaint to the non-government school regulator, while experts call for better support and early intervention programs. Affected families say the lack of open communication has left students isolated and struggling emotionally.
- ▪Girls at The Friends' School in Hobart had their images used in AI-generated deepfake pornography, which was shared in a boys' group chat.
- ▪Five male students involved in creating and sharing the deepfakes have left the school and are being dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
- ▪Parents allege the school advised them not to inform their daughters, citing a 'careful and supportive' approach guided by police and experts.
- ▪Tasmania's education minister referred a parent's complaint about the school's handling to the Non-Government School Registrations Board for review.
- ▪Experts and support services emphasize the need for victim-centered responses and programs to address harmful sexual behaviors among youth.
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Parents slam 'weak' response at The Friends' School after girls targeted in AI deepfake pornography scandalBy Alison CostelloeStatelineTopic:AI4h ago4 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 7:56pmFive male students have now left The Friends' School in Hobart, following the sharing of deepfake pornographic material. (The Friends' School)In short:Girls at a Tasmanian private school have been targeted in a deepfake incident, with AI-doctored pornographic depictions shared on a boys' group chat, several parents say.Two parents have criticised the school's lack of a victim-focused response, saying they were encouraged not to tell their daughters they had been identified in the material.What's next?The minister has referred a complaint to the non-government school regulator.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).