Overcoming Online Dangers

Historically, Americans and most other civilizations have attempted to protect their children from harm. Even going as far back as the days of Jesus, He once stated that if anyone causes children to stumble, it “would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

But in 2024, those precious priorities seem to have shifted. Not only do many in the world disregard babies in the womb or offer mutilation surgeries to minors, but nowadays, many young children are handed devices that open the door to multiple types of unknown evil.

According to research by Common Sense Media, “half of children in the U.S. own a smartphone” by age 11. Unfortunately, many may not realize that the content on that smartphone or any other internet-capable device can harm young minds. 

Some of the dangerous effects that can come from internet-accessible devices and sites include potential cyberbullying, early exposure to pornography and violence, and the rise of mental health issues. Yet, perhaps the most concerning matter of internet usage is the issue of safety.

However, it can be hard to believe that these far-fetched dangers can affect the children … until it does.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that in 2023, the organization’s tipline, which gathers tips regarding suspected child exploitation from “public and electronic service providers,” received more than 36.2 million reports within the year. The organization also shared that these cases had risen 19% from the 2022 report, and the entity reported an increase in tips of “financial sextortion” and “generative AI.”

But what is sextortion? And how can artificial intelligence (AI) harm American children? Is there anything we can do to help protect minors? I’m so glad you asked! Knowing that there is an issue is the first step in solving it.

Below, you’ll find more information on these two types of online dangers, some steps to take, and resources to help keep minors in your life safe as they navigate the digital world.

Sextortion

Sextortion occurs when a perpetrator connects with a minor on an online site disguised as someone near the age of the child and uses “revealing images” to then blackmail its victims. According to the FBI, sometimes, the criminal will convince the child that they already have these images of the victim prior to connecting online. But most of the time, they trick the minor into believing the user they’ve created is interested in a romantic relationship. Following this, conversations typically ensue that involve sharing sexual images or mature discussions, which are used as blackmail.

In financial sextortion, the groomers will use the explicit images obtained as a way to threaten the victim for money. If not paid, they claim that they will share the compromising photos with loved ones, on social media, etc.

Take Walker Montgomery, for example. The Stand Print was able to tell his story in its April 2024 issue. He was a fatal victim of financial sextortion.

Walker was a 16-year-old boy from small-town Starkville, Mississippi. One night, he logged on to Instagram to find a direct message waiting for him. The message was from a girl he did not know but seemed to have mutual connections with. He began talking to her. However, before he knew it, the conversation shifted into one in which he shared revealing photographs.

Much to his surprise, after Walker sent the images, the user revealed that she was not a girl his age. Instead, it was an adult male from across the sea. Once he had the images of Walker, he told him that he would have to send him $1,000 to keep the photos from being shared with his loved ones. After refusing to do so multiple times, Walker committed suicide.

This interaction and tragic ending occurred over the course of one night. Walker’s parents were never given the chance to help him.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Another type of online danger for children is the use of AI. With all the advancements in technology, it is no shock that anyone can use AI to target and harm children. One specific form of this dangerous AI usage is deepfake nudes.

Random individuals or even other children can create these shocking images. They occur when someone takes an otherwise ordinary photo (like one from a vacation or even a family event) and alters it to depict nudity, causing innocent children to appear as if they are doing something scandalous. A portion of these images are being created and shared by minors.

 In a 2023 Thorn report, research revealed that “roughly 1 in 10 minors reported they knew of cases where their peers” had created and shared these revealing photos of other peers. Two examples of this include:

• Last year, a group of New Jersey high school boys created and shared deepfakes of their female classmates.
• This June, a mother from Texas shared that a male student had taken innocent pictures of her daughter and other female students and then used “computer software to create fake naked images of the girls.”

Deepfakes can take a simple vacation or school picture and use it in horrific, life-altering ways.

The solution

These are just two examples of the dangers children face online that are rarely discussed. But how can parents, adults, and Christians better protect those affected by these and other online dangers?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Monitor all devices used by minors. If the device has internet access, minors may be able to connect and chat with others. This can be on gaming systems, social media sites, text messaging, or other apps. With this capability, minors may be lured into unsafe conversations.
2. Stay up to date on what is happening in the world. When you see stories like these mentioned above, take time to pray for the victims, but also remember that it could happen to anyone. Knowing the different types of online dangers allows you to talk to the children in your life and help them understand how to handle such events if they, or someone they know, fall victim to them.  
3. Have hard conversations. When minors feel comfortable talking to trusted adults and guardians, it can encourage them to share what they may have seen or encountered online.
4. Wait. The best option for cell phones may be less popular. Just because someone in your child’s class owns a smartphone does not mean they must have one. Hold off a little longer if it doesn’t seem like the best time for a child to have a phone. Safety is the top priority!
5. Look into other options. Often, and understandably, parents and caregivers want to be able to reach their children in the event of an emergency. It is important to note that phones that are just used for calling are still a thing. Check into a flip phone or other forms of call-only devices. They may not be the coolest choice on the market, but they might help with an added layer of protection.  

Just like Jesus, we should care about the safety and protection of His children, and protecting them from online dangers is a great place to start. For more information and insight concerning this issue, visit Shared Hope International, ScreenStrong, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or Eight Days of Hope. Although these sites mentioned are not all faith-based, they offer great material about helping protect children in a digital world. Another great resource is American Family Radio’s own Dr. Jessica Peck, also known as Dr. Nurse Mama. Many of her articles can be found here.