Incident Description
A Year 7 child was consuming protein shakes advertised and sold by a fake AI influencer driven by disinformation promoting an unrealistic achievement of the “perfect body.”
This marketing targets teenage boys and raises significant concerns regarding body dysmorphia.
The boy confided in his brother (Year 10) who then told staff at the gym both boys attend.
Guidance for Safeguarding Response
- Gym staff spoke with both boys who agreed to informing school and parents for wider support.
- The significant concern from all adults is that this could lead to body dysmorphia
- Targeted work was done with both boys around critically evaluating the source of content online
- Online safety workshops were delivered to year groups 7-11 focusing on disinformation and the negative impact of AI generated images and videos
- The incident was recorded (Category: Unsafe online outside of school and Cause for concern: possible exploitation)
- School contacted their safeguarding advisory service who provided a series of sessions focussing on the potential danger they were putting themself in whilst building self-esteem and critically evaluating sources of information online
Agencies Involved in this Incident
Referral to school nurse was offered but pupil would not engage