AI Cyberbullying Is Now Covered Under Illinois Law

A new Illinois law is officially catching up with rapidly changing technology, especially when it comes to protecting students from cyberbullying.

As of July 1st, Illinois expanded its legal definition of cyberbullying to include artificial intelligence-generated content and digital replicas, commonly known as "deepfakes."  These are manipulated photos, videos, or audio recordings that can make it appear as though someone said or did something they never actually did.  In many cases, this technology has been used to embarrass, harass, or target victims online.

The change come through House Bill 3851, which requires school districts across the state to update their bullying prevention policies and procedures to specifically address AI-generated content.  Schools will now have clearer authority to respond when artificial is used to bully or harm students.

The law follows several high-profile incidents, including one earlier this year at Lake Zurich High School, where students allegedly used AI to create sexually explicit images of classmates.  After the incident was reported to police, the district launched education efforts for students and families centered on online safety, responsibility technology use, and the risks associated with artificial intelligence.

In addition to updating the school policies, the Illinois State Board of Education was required by July 1st to begin developing statewide guidance on the use of AI in schools.  The guidance is expected to help districts create consistent policies, clarify student expectations, and provide schools with better tools for responding to AI-related incidents before the 2026-2027 school year.

As AI becomes more common in everyday life, Illinois hopes these updated protections will help schools respond more effectively when technology is used to harm others.