Your child can be “just playing a game” while also messaging strangers, joining private servers, and getting pulled into conversations you never see. That gap between what parents think is happening and what’s actually happening online is where a lot of harm starts, and it’s why we’re digging into real-world internet safety for kids with someone who investigates these cases every day.

I’m joined by Officer Blow from the Fort Myers Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit to explain what investigators are seeing right now across social media safety, online gaming chat, messaging apps, and private communities. We talk about how offenders follow kids into the platforms they already love, including Discord, Roblox, and kid-focused games like Zepeto that still include chat features. We also cover disappearing messages on apps like Snapchat and Instagram, plus encrypted messaging spaces such as Telegram and WhatsApp, and why those tools can make grooming and sextortion harder for families to spot.

We also get direct about emerging threats: AI and graphic design are showing up in child exploitation investigations, and AI-generated CSAM is still a serious crime. Most importantly, we share warning signs parents can actually use, how to keep communication open without turning into a “helicopter parent,” and the critical steps to take if something feels off. If you’re worried you’ll say the wrong thing, we also explain what not to do, including deleting chats or confronting an offender, because digital evidence can be time sensitive and can help protect a child.

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