Tesco Mobile & Angry Ginge tackle rise of AI fakes and misinformation with new film

Tesco Mobile has partnered with streamer, influencer and ‘I’m a Celebrity…’ winner, Angry Ginge, to help children and parents learn ways to identify misinformation and fake AI-generated images and videos online.

The partnership comes as over half of UK children (52%) report that they have believed AI-generated images, videos or news stories to be real, with an alarming 54% of parents saying their children are spreading the misinformation on their own social media channels. Increasingly prevalent, the issue also applies offline, with 42% saying their children are spreading fake news in classrooms, playgrounds, and among friends.

The YouTube star and mobile network have launched a new film designed to educate children on the potential dangers of fake videos and manipulated content, both on social media platforms, as well as within the comments or live chat of online games. Most importantly, the film provides helpful guidance on how to spot when something online isn’t real and what steps to take if you do.

The campaign comes in response to growing concern about misinformation among parents and is supported by Tesco Mobile’s online safety partner Internet Matters, who offer a free online safety learning platform, Digital Matters. Internet Matters research finds that 8 out of 10 parents say it is their biggest worry, even more so than screentime. Despite this, less than half of online safety conversations (just 48%) currently include misinformation.

The new research conducted by Tesco Mobile also revealed the scale of the problem for households as nearly three quarters of parents (72%) say they’ve had to correct their child after they believed something online that later turned out to be false, while 74% admit they’ve been uncertain about whether an image or video is real themselves, fearing it could be a deepfake.

The film is part of a nationwide campaign by Tesco Mobile to improve online safety education for young people. As part of the initiative, Tesco Mobile is making £200,000 worth of grants available to primary schools across the UK, helping them invest in classroom technology, resources and training that supports online safety education.

The mobile network chose to partner with Angry Ginge due to the popularity with younger people and his potential to influence them with educational messages given that the research uncovered that almost half of children (41%) trust influencers more than traditional news sources.

Angry Ginge, streamer and influencer, said: “I’ve had so many fans send me AI-generated clips of myself that they genuinely thought were real. 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. 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. 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.”

Families, teachers and schools can access the online safety film with Angry Ginge HERE to learn simple tips and spark conversations about what’s real and what’s not online, which will also be shown in primary schools across the nation.

The grants from Tesco Mobile will support primary schools in strengthening their online safety education, giving teachers the tools and resources to help pupils think critically about what they see online and stay safe in an increasingly complex digital world.

Dr. Martha Deiros Collado, clinical psychologist who is also supporting the campaign, says: “Children are naturally more vulnerable to misinformation because they’re still developing the critical thinking skills needed to question what they see online. As convincing AI-generated images, videos or stories appear in their feeds, it can be very difficult to distinguish fact from fiction, and repeated exposure to misleading content can leave children feeling confused and anxious. Initiatives like this help equip parents and primary schools with the tools to support young people to pause, question and think critically about what they see online.”

Sally Marriott, chief technology officer at Tesco Mobile, adds: “As a parent, I see every day how quickly the online world is evolving, and how important it is that we help children navigate it safely. With AI and misinformation becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot, giving young people the right skills early on is crucial. That’s why we’re incredibly proud of our partnership with Internet Matters and awarding £200,000 in grants to primary schools. This will help to give pupils the tools they need to question what they see, understand how AI works, and stay safe as they explore the digital world. Together, we’re making sure the next generation can enjoy the benefits of technology with greater confidence, resilience and awareness.”

Rachel Huggins, CEO at Internet Matters, adds: “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. We are delighted to partner with Tesco Mobile to help equip teachers and families with practical tools and guidance the Digital Matters platform, and support young people as they navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.”

To find out more about Tesco Mobile’s ongoing work to support online safety, visit here: https://www.tescomobile.com/why-tesco-mobile/little-helps/online-safety

You can nominate a primary school here

If you’re a primary school teacher, you can apply for a grant here

Applications and nominations are open until Sunday 3 May 2026. Primary schools in the UK are eligible to apply.