With the rise of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, a new form of manipulation has emerged: boomer traps. This term refers to online traps, often set using AI-generated images or videos, that target the most vulnerable internet users—particularly seniors.
Boomer Traps (Definition)
[boo-mer-traps]
Noun, English origin
Definition: Fake images generated by AI, shared on social media with the goal of provoking an emotional reaction, leading to shares or clicks that generate “emotional traffic.”
Often used by scammers, these images act as a tool for online fraud.
“These AI-generated images may be harmless and posted by users simply trying to attract new followers to grow their Facebook pages and eventually monetize them.” (Source: Notre Temps)
Images too good to be true
Boomer traps rely on highly realistic images or videos created using tools like MidJourney or DALL·E. These artificial creations—sometimes heartwarming, sometimes outrageous—are designed to provoke strong emotions: compassion, admiration, indignation.
Take, for example, a widely circulated photo of a young female soldier surrounded by sheep, accompanied by text encouraging support for her sacrifice. Although the image is touching, it is entirely fake, created from scratch. Nonetheless, it spread widely on social media, racking up thousands of likes and comments. So why do these types of content resonate so deeply with seniors?
Elderly : The ideal target for scammers
Baby boomers, though active online, are often less aware of AI-related dangers. This age group tends to respond more impulsively to emotional content without verifying its authenticity. These reactions are a goldmine for scammers, who leverage the virality of such posts.
The goals of boomer traps vary:
- Traffic generation: Fake posts often link to pages filled with ads, maximizing revenue for their creators.
- Identifying potential victims: Users who engage with this content are marked for more elaborate scams, like romance scams run by online fraudsters.
- Political or ideological manipulation: Some images play on traditional or identity-based themes to subtly influence public opinion.
Boomer Traps: How to spot them
Identifying an AI-generated image or video can be tricky, but a few clues can help unmask the deception:
- Visual inconsistencies: Odd details like malformed hands, irregular teeth, or blurry backgrounds.
- Overly polished realism: Skin that looks too flawless or lighting that seems unnaturally even should raise red flags.
- Reverse image search: Tools like reverse image search can sometimes help trace the origin of a suspicious image.
However, the rapid advancement of AI is making it harder each day to distinguish the fake from the real.
How to stay safe from scams
To avoid falling into these traps, here are a few best practices:
- Develop critical thinking: Take a moment to reflect before reacting to emotional content.
- Verify sources: Always check the reliability of the content’s source.
- Limit interactions: Don’t like, comment, or share unless you’re sure the content is genuine.
- `Use cybersecurity tools: Install software capable of detecting fraudulent links and scams.
A growing phenomenon
Boomer traps are only the tip of a much larger iceberg. As AI improves, it’s becoming a powerful weapon in the hands of scammers. This phenomenon raises significant ethical and political questions, particularly around the regulation of online content.
In the meantime, vigilance remains our best defense. In a world where emotion often trumps information, learning to take a step back is an essential skill—for both seniors and younger generations. Because while AI holds incredible potential, it can also become a dangerous tool for manipulation.
Boomer Traps: A call for collective awareness
Beyond individual precautions, fighting boomer traps requires collective action. Social media platforms, in particular, have a critical role to play. By investing more in automatic detection tools and educating their users, they can help curb the spread of fraudulent content.
Likewise, educational initiatives that teach digital literacy and critical thinking should be encouraged. In an increasingly interconnected society, the fight against disinformation is a shared responsibility.
Published by the Editorial Staff on