What are Deepfakes?
Author: Jennifer Haynes
You ever scroll past a video and think, wait… did they really say that? Yeah, same. And sometimes the answer is no - they didn’t. It was a deepfake.
Let me take you back to 2023, when a video started doing the rounds of Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy telling his troops to surrender. Usual outfit, official background, the works. But it was fake - completely generated via Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered tools. Still, it fooled a lot of people before the fact-checkers stepped in.
Then there was the deepfake of Keir Starmer that popped up on TikTok during the 2024 election, making it look like he was mocking working-class voters. It looked real enough to spark outrage - but, yep, you guessed it. It was another fake.
We’re living in a time where you can’t always trust your own eyes. Deepfakes aren’t just funny filters or viral edits anymore - they’re messing with politics, public trust, and even people’s personal lives.
So, what exactly is a deepfake? And how can you spot one? As a Gen Z whose screen time is higher than I’d like to admit, let’s get into it.
What actually is a deepfake?
Deepfakes are videos, photos, or voice recordings created using AI to look and sound like the real deal. Sometimes they’re harmless, like putting your mate’s face on a dancing elf at Christmas (a stone-cold comedy classic).
But other times, they’re used to deliberately trick people.
The tech behind it can copy someone’s voice so well it sounds like they’ve said something they never actually did. It can also clone facial expressions and movements to make a person look like they’re speaking on camera - even if that moment never happened.
Basically, it’s next-level impersonation. And it’s getting harder and harder to tell what’s fake.
How can you spot a deepfake video?
As AI technology improves, so does the quality of deepfakes. But there are a handful of red flags to look out for that can help you tell the real from the fake. When you next come across a video that you’re not entirely certain of, look out for the following clues:
1. They said what?
Would King Charles really go online to slate Gareth Southgate and drag the England squad? Probably not. Sometimes it’s not about how the video looks, but about the message.
Ask yourself: Is this something that person would actually say in public? If it feels too wild, too dramatic, or totally out of character, it’s worth questioning whether it’s even real.
2. The face looks…off?
One of the biggest giveaways in deepfakes is the mouth - and once you know what to look for, you won’t be able to unsee it. The area around the mouth and chin can look blurry or of a lower quality than the rest of the face. Sometimes the teeth look pixelated, or the lips move in a way that doesn’t quite match the words.
You might also spot tiny lags between the voice and the movement of the mouth - especially if you slow it down or rewatch a bit. If it looks like a dodgy dubbed movie from the '90s, chances are something fishy’s going on.
Keep in mind: deepfakes are getting better every day. This advice might already be outdated, and spotting fakes will only get harder. Try to stay up to date with the latest tools - and if you’re ever unsure, remember point number three…
3. Sketchy source = sketchy video
Who posted the video? Why are they sharing it? And is this the original source - or just some random repost?
Deepfakes often appear on smaller, less trustworthy accounts first - ones you’ve never heard of, with no real profile pic and names like @truthfinder991.
Sometimes, these accounts even admit the content is fake in the caption or hashtags. Look out for tags like #AI, #deepfake, or even captions that try to generate clickbait, like “I can’t believe they did this!”.
If you’re unsure whether a video’s been tampered with, try to track it back to a more trusted source. Major news outlets and verified accounts are way more likely to flag content that’s been edited or generated by AI.
Bottom line: don’t just take a clip at face value. If it’s not from a source you trust, take a second to dig a bit deeper before you hit share.
Deepfakes can cause deep aches
We all know that for young people today, video content isn’t just something they scroll past - in fact, it’s their most popular way of consuming information. It’s quick, it’s visual, and it often feels like an easier way to get information than to read a blog or article. That’s exactly what makes deepfakes so dangerous. And once someone’s seen a shocking or controversial clip, their opinions can be shaped before there’s even time to fact-check.
When it comes to young people, the risks are pretty big and come in two main flavours. First up: the personal side. Deepfakes are already being weaponised in peer-on-peer abuse. A survey commissioned by the ASCL found that one in 10 secondary teachers said they knew of AI-generated deepfake images or audio being used maliciously against students and staff. Think fake explicit videos, clips edited to humiliate, or audio that sounds like a mate talking smack behind your back. This isn’t just your average social media drama; it’s targeted, tough to prove wrong, and really damaging emotionally.
Then there’s the bigger picture. Deepfakes can seriously twist how young people see the world. Maybe it’s a politician looking like they’ve said something offensive, like Keir Starmer, or a celeb appearing to promote sketchy behaviour. This stuff spreads fast, shaping views on everything from race and gender to politics and social norms - especially if nobody challenges it.
Supporting young people to spot Deepfakes
Helping young people build the skills to think critically, check where things come from, and talk openly about what they’re seeing is more important than ever. Deepfakes aren’t going anywhere, but if we equip young people to spot and question them, we stand a much better chance. Remember our top three tips and share this with your students. (link back to how to spot section):
1. Watch what they said
2. Watch how they look
3. Watch for the source
But what if we could go the extra mile and combine media literacy skills with resources that truly connect with how students engage online? That’s where Peerscroller comes in. Peerscroller has all the fast-paced, bite-sized vibes of TikTok - except here, it’s nothing but the truth. It’s packed with quick videos on everything from navigating relationships and staying healthy to digital wellbeing.
Peerscroller can help students learn how to tell what’s real and what’s deepfake. It’s a smart way to build critical thinking while also opening honest conversations about the tricky stuff they see online every day. For teachers, it’s an easy, relatable way to bring these important topics into the classroom and connect with how students really experience the digital world.
If you want to learn more about Peerscroller and how it can support your classroom, click here.
