Teachers Union Says It Is Leaving X Over AI-Generated Images Involving Children
GeokHub
Washington | Jan 13, 2026 — GeokHub The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has announced it will stop using the social media platform X, citing serious concerns over the spread of AI-generated images involving children and the platform’s broader content moderation challenges.
AFT President Randi Weingarten said the decision followed the emergence of disturbing, non-consensual images created by the platform’s artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok. According to the union, the images—some depicting children in inappropriate contexts—represented a tipping point that made continued use of the platform unacceptable.
Weingarten said X had already become increasingly difficult to use following the 2022 takeover by billionaire Elon Musk, pointing to a rise in extremist content, online harassment, and disinformation. However, she described the recent AI image issue as “the final straw.”
“The lack of meaningful safeguards around AI-generated images crossed a line,” Weingarten said, adding that the union would no longer post on X.
X did not immediately respond to a request for comment. xAI, the artificial intelligence company also owned by Musk, issued a brief, non-specific response when contacted about the union’s decision.
In recent weeks, X has faced international scrutiny after Grok-generated images circulated publicly, prompting criticism from child safety advocates and digital rights groups. The platform has since adjusted how the chatbot operates, preventing some AI-generated images from appearing on public timelines. However, concerns remain about the adequacy of existing protections.
The AFT represents approximately 1.8 million educators and education workers, making it one of the largest labor unions in the United States. Weingarten, who joined the platform more than a decade ago when it was known as Twitter, said she had already reduced her activity due to the spread of misleading information.
As of this week, both Weingarten’s personal account and the union’s official account—together followed by more than 170,000 users—will remain inactive.
While acknowledging that leaving X could limit the union’s reach, Weingarten said protecting children must take precedence.
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” she said. “But safeguarding children and standing up for basic human values means knowing when to draw a clear line.”
