A disturbing incident in North Texas highlights how this emerging technology is being used to target teenage girls. In October 2023, Elliston Berry, a 14-year-old high school student, became the victim of an AI-generated deepfake image scandal that turned her life upside down.
Berry’s ordeal began after her school’s homecoming celebration when she received a text message that would shatter her sense of security. Nude images of her were circulating among her classmates. However, these explicit photos were not real – a male classmate had used artificial intelligence to create AI-generated deepfake images by combining her Instagram pictures with inappropriate content.
“Waking up that morning, it was like my whole life turned upside down,” Berry, now 15, recalls. “I’m more than just those pictures. But in those moments, I felt like that’s all people saw.”
The mental and emotional toll was profound. Once an outgoing and sociable student, Berry became withdrawn and anxious, fearing every school day might bring another wave of humiliation.
The accessibility of AI technology is accelerating the spread of deepfake content. What once required advanced technical skills and large datasets can now be done using publicly available software and just a few images. This ease of creation makes teenagers, especially girls, vulnerable to digital exploitation.
The impact of AI-generated deepfake images mirrors the psychological trauma experienced by victims of physical sexual assault. Jennifer Simmons Kaleba, Vice President of Communications at the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), explains that the constant possibility of these images resurfacing prolongs the emotional damage.
“The harm is continuous because each time the image comes up and a friend calls and says, ‘I’ve seen you online,’ it reopens the trauma,” says Stefan Turkheimer, Vice President of Public Policy at RAINN.
Berry’s mother, Anna McAdams, witnessed the profound changes in her daughter. “The mental anguish and the transformation in her personality were deeply disturbing,” McAdams says. “She went from being a bubbly extrovert to someone who barely wanted to leave her room.”
Despite the emotional devastation caused by AI-generated deepfake images, legal and regulatory frameworks have struggled to keep up. In Berry’s case, the images were shared anonymously on Snapchat, making it difficult to identify the perpetrator. The school and law enforcement faced challenges in addressing the situation, as existing laws were not equipped to deal with AI-driven abuse.
The parents of the affected girls eventually filed a Title IX investigation in January 2024. The perpetrator was charged with a class A misdemeanor for the harmful distribution of material. However, there is currently no federal law requiring social media platforms to remove AI-generated deepfake images without a court order.
McAdams spent over eight months trying to get Snapchat to remove the images. It was only after the office of Senator Ted Cruz intervened that the photos were finally taken down.
Berry is now one of the leading voices advocating for stronger legislation to combat AI-generated deepfake images. She has joined other victims and lawmakers in pushing for the Take It Down Act, a bill that criminalizes the distribution of non-consensual, sexually exploitative content created using artificial intelligence.
The Take It Down Act, unanimously passed by the Senate, also requires online platforms to remove reported content within 48 hours of receiving a valid request. First Lady Melania Trump publicly supported the bill, emphasizing the urgent need to protect teenagers from digital abuse.
“It’s heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content, like deepfakes,” Trump said in March 2025.
Teenagers are in a critical developmental stage where self-image and peer acceptance play crucial roles in their mental health. Experts warn that experiencing digital abuse during these formative years can have long-term consequences, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Shadeen Francis, a licensed marriage and family psychotherapist specializing in emotional intelligence, explains, “To experience trauma at this age, particularly one that disrupts trust in oneself and others, can severely impact future relationships and self-esteem.”
Berry continues to worry about the lingering effects of the AI-generated deepfake images. She fears the photos could resurface in the future, affecting college admissions or job prospects.
“Even though the images aren’t real, the shame and humiliation feel just as painful,” she says. “He stripped me of my innocence and spread those images for everyone to see.”
As AI-generated deepfake images become more common, experts urge parents and teens to take preventive measures and be aware of available resources.
Parents are encouraged to have open discussions with their children about digital consent and the dangers of AI-manipulated content.
McAdams emphasizes the importance of maintaining communication and trust. “Talk to your kids about this stuff,” she urges. “They need to know they can come to you without fear if something like this happens.”
