CNN 5 Things 5 Good Things: This Teen Faced the Dark Side of AI and Fought Back
Jan 17, 2026
A teen activist, Elliston Berry, shares her journey to educate peers on the dangers of deepfakes and introduces a crucial curriculum for schools. The We Do Not Care Club is empowering women facing perimenopause. Meanwhile, Barbie goes inclusive with a new autistic doll, and research reveals that some dogs can pick up new words by eavesdropping. The podcast also highlights bereaved parents transforming their loss into a literary legacy for their daughter. Tune in for these heartwarming and eye-opening stories!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Viral Video Sparked A Global Sisterhood
- Melanie Sanders filmed an off-the-cuff video about not caring and launched the We Do Not Care Club for perimenopausal and menopausal women.
- The movement grew to millions of followers and produced a handbook and community support.
Teen Turned Trauma Into School Curriculum
- When she was 14, classmates created and shared AI-generated nude images of Elliston Berry and school staff couldn't help.
- That trauma led her to co-create a 17-minute curriculum to teach students, parents, and educators how to respond.
Teach Schools A Clear Response Path
- Use the free 17-minute online course Elliston helped create to train schools on recognizing and responding to deepfakes.
- The program covers reporting steps, support resources, and legal obligations like the Take It Down Act.
