Alamo Heights, TX – Maurine Molak, a local mother who lost her 16‑year‑old son David to cyberbullying more than a decade ago, is leading a renewed push for tougher online‑harassment safeguards. Molak, co‑founder of the David’s Legacy Foundation, says the rise of artificial‑intelligence tools has made digital abuse faster, more graphic, and harder for parents to detect.
Personal tragedy fuels advocacy
“My son died by suicide after a year‑long battle with social media and online gaming addiction,” Molak told KSAT. She added that the pain of losing David has become a catalyst for change, urging parents, schools, and legislators to equip families with better tools to combat cyberbullying.
Legislative milestones
Molak’s advocacy helped Texas pass “David’s Law” in 2017. The law requires every school district to incorporate cyberbullying into its student‑conduct policies and to notify a child’s parent if the student is identified as a victim or alleged aggressor. Since then, additional statutes have been enacted to criminalize the non‑consensual sharing of images online.
AI‑generated deepfakes raise new threats
Local experts warn that AI is now being used to create realistic deepfake images, including fake nude photos, that can spread through a school in minutes. “The last couple of years we’ve seen kids using AI to create deepfakes, fake nude photos that aren’t really real,” said Mandy Majors, founder of nextTalk, a nonprofit focused on digital safety.
Alamo Heights Independent School District spokesperson confirmed that the district has updated its policies to provide clearer guidance, additional training for staff, and expanded support services for families dealing with AI‑driven harassment.
What parents can do
Molak stresses that the most important step parents can take is to create a safe, trusting environment at home. “Children are going to experience harm online, and if they don’t think they can come to you, you may find yourself in a serious situation,” she warned.
If a child is being targeted, Molak advises reporting the incident to the school and directly to the platform where the content was posted. She also encourages families to stay informed about the latest digital‑safety resources offered by the David’s Legacy Foundation.
Community response
Local advocacy groups have praised the recent legislative updates, noting that they provide clearer pathways for schools to intervene and for families to seek help. The community’s response underscores a growing consensus that protecting children from online abuse aligns with traditional family values and the constitutional right of parents to raise their children in a safe environment.
For more information about the David’s Legacy Foundation and resources on cyberbullying prevention, visit their website.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
