By tf-lawyer.com Child actress Kaylin Hayman has become a powerful advocate for change after discovering that a man used artificial intelligence to create child sexual abuse materials featuring her likeness. Kaylin, who starred in the Disney show “Just Roll With It” from 2019 to 2021, recently testified in a Pittsburgh court against 57-year-old James Smelko, who targeted her due to her public profile, being one of approximately 40 victims he exploited.
In one disturbing example presented at the trial, Smelko took a photo of Kaylin from her Instagram, taken when she was just 12, and digitally imposed her face onto the naked body of another individual. Speaking candidly to The Guardian, Kaylin expressed her disbelief at the evil some individuals exhibit, stating, “I’ve had my fair share of crying uncontrollably because I don’t understand how some people are so evil.”
Kaylin resides in Ventura, California, while Smelko committed his crimes from Pennsylvania. She was shocked to learn that her case could only proceed to trial as a federal case due to interstate implications. While federal law prohibits possession of child sexual abuse depictions, California’s laws failed to provide the same protections.
Undeterred by her horrific experience, Kaylin transformed her pain into activism. This year, she passionately supported California’s new bill, AB 1831, aiming to expand existing laws to include images and videos that have been digitally altered or generated using AI. In June, she testified before lawmakers in Sacramento, sharing her story and urging the need for stronger protections for child actors: “I talked about how I felt violated and that I was absolutely appalled that this wasn’t already a crime in California,” she noted. “California is such a huge part of the acting industry, and there are so many kids who were not protected from this crime.”
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law at the end of September, which now allows for severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines up to $100,000 for those who create such materials.
Kaylin and her parents believe her early exposure to social media contributed to her risk of exploitation. She started using Instagram at the age of 10, despite the platform’s age requirement of 13, unless accounts are managed by parents. The nightmare escalated when Smelko harvested images from her social media profiles to create the offensive content.
“Disney set up her Instagram account specifically to promote the show and themselves,” her father Mark stated. He emphasized that more protective measures should be in place, including training around online harassment and how to block inappropriate accounts. Kaylin agrees, noting that the responsibility should also lie with Disney: “I would like them to take some responsibility, but that has yet to happen.”
Kaylin has faced harassment through her social media, receiving unwanted explicit messages from men, and despite reporting these incidents, she feels unsupported by the platforms. Her mother, Shalene, stated, “She’s certainly had her fair share of creepy stalkers who continue to taunt her.”
Mark believes that the Hollywood actor’s union, SAG-AFTRA, should provide better education on the dangers of AI and the risks associated with social media. The Hayman family remains vigilant, checking Kaylin’s accounts regularly.
Kaylin explained, “There are so many inappropriate images circulated on Instagram. I just don’t understand why they are able to be sent to kids.” While Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has announced various safety initiatives for users under 16, Kaylin remains skeptical about their effectiveness.
In a statement, Meta affirmed, “We have detailed and robust policies against child nudity and exploitation, including real images and those created using Generative AI.”
As the issue of child sexual abuse materials surges online, Kaylin reflects on how witnessing the misuse of her image has changed her life. She admits to feeling more anxious about her surroundings, illustrating how this trauma has impacted her day-to-day experiences.
“A year ago, giving her testimony at Smelko’s trial signified my taking back some control over the situation,” Kaylin reminisces. While testifying, she made brief eye contact with Smelko, describing him as a man who appeared to have led a “really sad life.”
Despite everything, Kaylin is determined to pursue her passion for acting, aiming to appear in movies while also focusing on advocating against online child exploitation. Her experience has inspired her to consider attending law school with hopes of specializing in children’s rights.
“I’m very fortunate that my case wasn’t worse,” she remarked, emphasizing her commitment to turning a negative experience into a force for good.
Resources like the Childhelp abuse hotline and support services for survivors are available to those in need.
