Watching deepfakes for fun? Risks for families and how to stay safe

A funny video, a celebrity saying something unexpected, a face swap that looks almost too real to be fake. Your child shows it to you, laughing: “Look at this!” Rabbits jumping on trampolines, toddlers cooking full meals like tiny chefs, historical figures turned into influencers, or celebrities “reacting” to trends they were never part of. Many of these videos become viral instantly, spreading across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

The more we watch this kind of content, the more our brains get used to it, and the less alert we become when the same technology is used in scams, impersonation, or manipulation.

Key takeaways:

• Deepfakes are part of what families watch every day.
• The danger isn’t just the content, it’s getting used to fake content that looks real.
• The same AI used for fun videos is also used in scams, impersonation, and fraud.
• When something feels urgent or emotional, people react first and question later, and that’s exactly what attackers rely on.
• Children and older adults are more likely to believe what they see or hear.

What are deepfakes and how do they work?

Deepfakes are videos, images, or audio created with artificial intelligence to make it look or sound like someone—or even a cute animal acting in a very human way—said or did something they never actually did.

What makes them different from older types of editing is how real they can feel. AI tools can analyze a person’s face, voice, and expressions, then recreate them in entirely new situations that never happened. This can mean generating a voice message that sounds like a real person, placing someone into a video they were never part of, or making subtle changes to existing footage that are almost impossible to notice.

Not long ago, most deepfakes were easier to spot because something felt slightly off. Maybe the lips didn’t match the words, or the movement looked unnatural. Now, the technology has improved so much that even careful viewers can struggle to tell what’s real and what isn’t.

Why deepfakes are a growing risk for families

Deepfakes video show up as content and this is what it makes them  dangerous.

For kids and teens, this type of content blends naturally into what they already watch every day. On TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram, deepfakes are part of trends, jokes, and creative edits. When something is funny or impressive, it’s shared. The focus is on entertainment, not on whether it’s real.

Older family members can be even more vulnerable in a different way. They may be less familiar with how AI-generated content works, which makes it harder to imagine that a voice or a video could be fake in the first place. When something sounds like a grandchild, a son, or a trusted institution, the instinct is to trust it, not question it.

Because this content is rarely consumed in isolation, exposure quickly becomes shared. One person watches something, shows it to the others, and it turns into a normal part of digital lives. Over time, that repeated exposure makes the idea that “this could be fake” feel less relevant, even in situations where it matters the most.

Related: How to Outsmart AI Voice Scammers Pretending to Be Your Family

The hidden risks of deepfake videos for families

Most of us believe we would recognize when something isn’t right. But in reality, reactions are often emotional before they are rational. Deep fakes are not flagged as security risks, the biggest risk is they are training them you to accept them.

Fake starts to feel normal

The more realistic fake content we watch, the less we question it. Over time, our instinct to pause and ask “is this real?” weakens.

Voice scams that sound real

With AI, that voice can sound like your child, your partner, or someone close to you. In real cases, scammers only need a few seconds of audio—often taken from social media—to recreate a convincing voice.

Impersonation that feels convincing

Deepfake technology is increasingly used to mimic people we’re used to trusting, such as bosses, teachers, colleagues, or family members. These messages often come with a sense of pressure is intentional, pushing people to act first and verify later.

Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable

Both children and older family members may be more likely to believe deepfake content. Younger kids are still developing critical thinking and often see digital content through a more imaginative lens, where things that look real can easily feel real. Older adults, on the other hand, may be less familiar with how AI-generated content works, which makes it harder to question it in the first place. In both cases, what looks or sounds convincing can be taken at face value, without the instinct to doubt it.

How to protect your family from deepfakes

Protecting your family from deepfake content can make a real difference when they later encounter scams or impersonation attempts powered by AI.

Here are some practical steps to start with:

Agree you don’t watch deepfakes for entertainment in your family

For example, you might agree that you don’t actively watch or promote fake content, and that when something looks unusual or too real, you talk about it together. This keeps the conversation open without making it feel like control.

 Explain why “just watching” fake videos matters—and how they are created

 When children understand how and why this content is created, they start to see it differently.

 Be mindful of what you share online

Photos, videos, and even short voice clips can be reused in ways that are hard to control later. Being more intentional about what gets shared, especially when it involves children, reduces the chances of that content being reused in manipulated or misleading ways.

Related: How to deal with a family member who overshares on social media (without starting a fight)

Use tools that support you

A solution like Bitdefender Family Plan can help you understand what your children are watching online, making it easier to start conversations about deepfakes early. At the same time, it flags suspicious messages, links, or scam attempts before they become a problem. It doesn’t replace conversations, but it adds an extra layer of protection across the devices your family uses every day.

You can explore how a family protection plan works,  here.

FAQs

Are deepfake videos dangerous?

Deepfake videos can be harmless entertainment, but they can also be used in scams, impersonation, and manipulation. The real risk is that repeated exposure makes it harder to question what you see, especially in urgent or emotional situations.

Who creates deepfake videos?

Deepfake videos can be created by almost anyone today. Content creators, hobbyists, and social media users often make them for entertainment or trends, using easy-to-access apps and AI tools.

At the same time, scammers and cybercriminals use the same technology for impersonation, fraud, or manipulation. The tools are widely available, which means the difference isn’t in the technology itself, but in how it’s used.

Why do people create deepfake videos?

People create deepfake videos for different reasons. Some are made for entertainment, such as funny edits, creative content, or viral trends. Others are used for more harmful purposes, including scams, impersonation, or spreading misinformation.

What makes this risky is that both types often look equally convincing. When people get used to seeing deepfakes as entertainment, it becomes easier to trust similar content in situations where it actually matters.

How do deepfake scams work?

Deepfake scams use AI to mimic a person’s face or voice, often someone you trust. Scammers then create urgent situations, such as asking for money or sensitive information, to pressure people into acting quickly without verifying.

Can someone fake my voice or my child’s voice?

Yes. With just a short audio sample, AI tools can create very realistic voice clones. This is why voice messages or calls that sound familiar should still be verified, especially if they involve urgency.

How can you tell if a video or audio is a deepfake?

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell. Some deepfakes may have small visual or audio inconsistencies, but many are nearly impossible to detect. The safest approach is not to rely on guessing, but to verify the source, especially if the message feels urgent or unusual.