It’s Not Just Stranger Danger Anymore: New Risks Facing Kids Today
Each June, National Safety Month serves as a timely reminder to prioritize safety in all areas of life—on the road, in the home, at school, and increasingly, online. While physical safety measures like wearing bike helmets and buckling seat belts remain critical, today’s parents and caregivers must also be aware of the invisible threats children face in digital spaces—particularly on social media.
In an age where children are growing up with smartphones, tablets, and access to the internet at increasingly younger ages, safety isn’t just about locks and helmets anymore. It's about protecting their mental, emotional, and physical well-being from harmful digital content and interactions.
One of the fastest-growing threats to children online is sextortion—a form of sexual exploitation where predators manipulate or coerce minors into sharing explicit content. According to the FBI, there has been a dramatic rise in sextortion cases targeting minors online, with at least 7,000 reports of child sextortion received in just one year. Shockingly, these numbers only reflect cases that are reported—many more go unspoken due to fear, shame, or confusion.
Even when a child’s account is set to “child” or they enter their correct age as under 18, platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok still allow access to content that may not be developmentally appropriate. Algorithms are designed to promote engagement, not necessarily safety—often pushing suggestive or explicit content to young users, even without them actively searching for it.
A 2023 report by Thorn, a nonprofit dedicated to ending child sexual exploitation, revealed that 1 in 4 minors between the ages of 9 and 17 reported receiving a sexually explicit message or image online. Many parents assume that parental controls or account restrictions offer sufficient protection, but the reality is that these tools often fall short of shielding kids from inappropriate or dangerous interactions.
As part of Safety Month this June, we urge parents and caregivers to make digital safety a top priority. Here are a few proactive steps to help protect children online:
Know the apps your child uses. Take the time to explore apps like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Discord, and even YouTube. Learn how they work, what privacy settings are available, and what content your child is exposed to.
Set privacy and safety controls. While not foolproof, most apps offer some level of parental oversight. Enable filters, block unknown messages, and monitor who your child is following or being followed by.
Have open conversations. Let children know they can come to you without fear if something inappropriate or upsetting happens online. Regular, judgment-free dialogue creates a safe space for them to speak up.
Use tech to your advantage. Consider installing trusted parental control apps that track screen time, block explicit content, and alert you to concerning behavior.
Teach digital boundaries. Empower your child to understand what’s safe to share, who to trust, and how to recognize red flags—such as unsolicited friend requests, secrecy, or manipulation.
At its core, Safety Month is about cultivating habits and environments where children can explore, connect, and grow—without fear of being harmed. As technology continues to shape our children’s world, we must adapt our safety strategies to include the digital spaces they occupy.
Every parent and caregiver has the power to be a digital gatekeeper. By taking the time to stay informed and involved, we create a stronger safety net for our children. Whether it's watching for traffic at a crosswalk or watching what scrolls across their screen, vigilance and care go hand in hand.
This June, let’s recommit to the safety of our children—body, mind, and screen. Their well-being depends on the actions we take today.