Videos of the "revived photos" have gone viral. What is known about the trend

Reviving old photos using neural networks has become one of the most noticeable trends in recent years. Users turn archived images into short videos that begin to "come to life", causing a strong emotional response. The format quickly went viral thanks to a combination of technology, nostalgia, and social media algorithms, but at the same time sparked discussions about ethics and the impact of such videos on the perception of the past. Izvestia discussed the popular trend with family and clinical psychologist Yulia Trignina.

Where did the trend for reviving photos come from?

The emergence of the trend is directly related to the development of digital technologies in the period 2023-2025. Image animation has moved beyond the professional environment and has become available to a wide audience. Dozens of mobile applications and online services have appeared that allow you to "animate" photos in just a few clicks. Even those who do not have special technical knowledge or graphics skills can create them.

The technology is based on neural networks trained on large arrays of facial images. Algorithms recognize key features and simulate movements — blinking, smiling, turning the head. Additionally, generative models are used that create intermediate frames and ensure smooth animation. The process is fully automated, which makes it massive.

The first videos began to be actively distributed several years ago on TikTok, where users experimented with family archives and historical photographs, including photographs from the Second World War. The platform played a crucial role in scaling the trend, which allowed similar videos to quickly gain millions of views on other platforms.

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According to Yulia Trignina, today we can talk about the formation of a new digital form of memory, where the past is not just preserved, but transformed and supplemented with the help of technology. However, according to the psychologist, this can lead to a distorted perception of real events.

"There is a very alarming factor in this case. In the process of "reinterpretation", who prevents adding something that did not exist in the historical context? It's one thing if these are family photos and chronicles, but it's quite another for historical documents that have political overtones and the ability to influence the worldview of large groups of people. And here we come to a very dangerous process at the moment, which is gaining great momentum — the digital falsification of history," the expert emphasized.

What effect do animated photos have?

According to Yulia Trignina, one of the key factors in the popularity of "animated photographs" remains a strong emotional effect. Users get the opportunity to see loved ones "in motion" and bring old photos to life, which strengthens the connection with the past and evokes a deeper response than ordinary images.

However, as the expert notes, the impact of such content can be ambiguous, especially for the older generation, who are poorly versed in modern technology, and in cases where deceased relatives are "revived".

"People who have already come to terms with the loss of loved ones begin to relive the stages of grief. In such situations, digital technologies can only enhance the traumatic experience, rather than help you live it. This can lead to protracted psychological crises and even acute conditions," said the psychologist.

In addition, there is a risk of emotional dependence, because the pictures look as realistic as possible. The expert cited the example of mothers who have lost their children, who may feel a strong attachment to "animated" images and videos that simulate their child's possible future.

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What risks and controversies are caused by the trend

At the same time, the psychologist notes that technology can be used not only to preserve memory and support loved ones, but also for manipulation.

"Artificial intelligence can be used by a talented artist or director, as well as by a fraudster who wants to deceive people for selfish purposes. Attackers can create deepfakes based on photos uploaded by users to blackmail and spread false information. This is especially dangerous for the elderly, who may mistake the generated video for a message from a loved one," she stressed.

The expert also noted that neural networks provide an opportunity to "create" for people who are often deprived of any artistic talents and skills, while everyone with a healthy mind wants to observe the results of their own work.

At the same time, the issue of authorship and legal protection of users arises. When uploading personal photos, users often ignore the fact that services get access to the uploaded content. As a result, photos can be used for other tasks, including generating new images or videos.

In this regard, experts recommend that you carefully study user agreements and take into account the possible risks of transferring and further using images by third parties.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on a new type of dependence on neural networks.

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