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@article{184795,
        author = {Dr Vidya Vinutha Dsouza and Mr. Glavin Dsouza},
        title = {Deepfakes and their Ethical Implications: A Study among Youth in Mangalore},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {3388-3392},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184795},
        abstract = {Deepfake is a phenomenon where AI manipulates digital content to create realistic but false images, videos, and audio. This technology is increasingly influencing youth by spreading misinformation, enabling cyberbullying, and distorting reality. With social media as their primary information source, young people are highly vulnerable to deception and privacy risks. Chesney and Citron (2019) highlight the significant privacy and ethical concerns posed by deepfakes, particularly for youth, emphasizing the need for stronger legal protections. Paris and Donovan (2019) stress the vulnerability of young people to deepfake-generated disinformation due to a lack of media literacy. Similarly, Maras and Alexandrou (2019) discuss the psychological and reputational harm caused by non-consensual deepfakes, particularly among social media-active youth.
The study employs a descriptive research design to understand the impact of deepfakes on the youth of Mangalore. A Stratified Random Sampling method was used, with 50 respondents selected to ensure representation across age groups, educational backgrounds, and urban/rural demographics. Data was collected through researcher-prepared questionnaires, complemented by secondary data from books and research articles.
The study highlights that 74% of respondents see deepfakes as a major threat to personal privacy, while 52% believe they severely harm individuals' reputations. Additionally, 66% recognize deepfakes as a contributor to online harassment among youth, raising concerns about their role in cyber abuse. To tackle the challenges of deepfakes, it is vital to promote digital literacy through workshops and awareness campaigns, equipping youth to identify manipulated content. Stricter regulations and advanced AI tools should be implemented to detect and flag deepfakes, ensuring a safer online environment.},
        keywords = {AI Regulations, Cyber Harassment, Deepfake Awareness, Deepfake Ethics, Digital Literacy, Media Manipulation, Misinformation, Online Privacy, Social Impact, Youth Vulnerability.},
        month = {September},
        }