YouTube influencer and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner Angry Ginge has launched a nationwide campaign to help school children identify AI-generated content online, after he fell victim to convincing deepfake videos while competing in the jungle.
Deepfake Incident Spurs Action
Angry Ginge, whose real name is Morgan Burtwhistle, revealed that during his time on the ITV reality show in December, a fabricated video falsely claiming he had a girlfriend circulated widely across news outlets and social media platforms. "When I was in the jungle, someone created a deepfake that convinced people I had a girlfriend and it spread across the news and social media," he explained. "It's scary to see how convincing technology can be and how you can get caught out if you don't really question some of the key signs."
Educational Video for Schools
The influencer has collaborated with child online safety charity Internet Matters and telecom provider Tesco Mobile to produce an instructional video that will be distributed to primary schools as part of a digital literacy initiative. This resource provides young fans with practical tips on detecting AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes.
Angry Ginge emphasised his responsibility as an influencer with a large youth following: "With so many young followers, I feel that influencers have a responsibility to help kids understand what's real and what can be altered online, as we're a trusted voice to them."
Government Consultation Context
This campaign coincides with an ongoing government-led public consultation focused on enhancing online safety for children and young people. Proposed measures under consideration include:
- A potential social media ban for individuals under 16 years old
- Legislation to restrict addictive design features such as auto-play on video content
- Regulations addressing AI chatbots and smartphone usage in educational settings
Experts participating in the consultation have advocated for improved digital literacy programmes in schools and increased funding to support teachers and parents in fostering safer online environments for children.
Industry and Charity Collaboration
Internet Matters, alongside other child safety organisations, has expressed concerns about simplistic age-based social media bans, warning they might drive young users toward less regulated corners of the internet. Instead, they advocate for a more nuanced approach to online protection.
Rachel Huggins, CEO of Internet Matters, stated: "The rise of AI-generated content online is making it harder for young people to tell what's real and what isn't. This campaign brings parents, schools and industry together to give children the skills they need to question what they see and think critically about online information."
Financial Support for Schools
As part of this joint initiative, Tesco Mobile is allocating £200,000 in grants to primary schools throughout the United Kingdom. These funds are intended to support investments in classroom technology, educational resources, and specialised training that promotes online safety education.
Schools interested in applying for these grants can search for Tesco Mobile's School and Online Safety Grant, with applications and nominations accepted until Sunday, May 3.
Meanwhile, members of the public can participate in the government consultation titled 'Growing up in an online world', which remains open until May 26. Additional support and resources regarding these issues are available through the Internet Matters website.
