Police still receiving reports of AI being used for 'cruel purposes' in schools

Concern over pupils sharing doctored images of their peers

Police are continuing to receive reports of AI generated, and modified, images being used by school pupils to bully and ridicule their peers.

It follows a warning from school education officers on the Island earlier this year who said some of the images could amount to criminal offences.

One parent told Manx Radio that something similar had happened to their child recently and it had a 'significant' impact on them.

PC Louise Kennaugh says officers are still going into schools to talk about this issue with pupils of primary and secondary school age.

They're particular keen to stress the law around sharing indecent images, as covered by the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021.

PC Kennaugh told Manx Radio: "There's legislation to cover it and so there should be. Because if it keeps carrying on or it's extreme, as we have had, then people need to know there are consequences."

Law and punishment aside, she's concerned about the emotional impact it could have on the Island's young people when a photo like this is shared:

Parents concerned that their child has been affected by the misuse of AI are being urged to make contact with police.