Children and young people in Fiji are facing escalating risks of online abuse, notably through AI-generated images and deepfake technology. Joshua Singh, a prosecutor with the Online Safety Commission, highlights the increasing sophistication of AI misuse, emphasizing that deepfake videos and voice cloning are now being used to target minors more aggressively.
Singh explains that these technologies can manipulate personal content in alarming ways. He described a process where abusers can compile a person’s online presence, capturing their voice and image to create videos that falsely depict them speaking. “They’ll go on Google, find a video of you and see how you sound. Then they will take your picture, record your voice, add it to the picture, and then they’ll turn the picture into a video. So it looks like you are speaking, but it’s not you,” he remarked.
Recent statistics reveal that approximately 26 percent of victims of online harm are between the ages of 25 and 34, while six percent are children aged 12 or younger. This alarming trend underscores the serious emotional impact of online abuse, which can extend beyond the victims themselves to affect families and communities.
Eseta Nadakuitavuki, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, stresses the importance of swift action for those who are affected. She encourages individuals to report incidents without delay and seek appropriate assistance. “We assess whether this case requires removal of the post from Facebook or whether it requires prosecution by the court system,” she noted, highlighting the measures in place to combat such incidents.
The rise of AI-driven online abuse in Fiji amplifies the urgent need to protect children and maintain vigilant oversight of online spaces. By promoting awareness and fostering supportive environments, communities can work together to mitigate these risks and safeguard the youth from the threats posed by malicious technology.
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