Duke Teynor

Welcome back to the Duke Tyner podcast, folks. I'm Summer, and today we're tackling a subject that's going to be hard to hear, but absolutely critical that we discuss. If you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, or anyone who cares about children, I need you to listen up. We're talking about online child sexual exploitation – a crisis that's growing faster than most people realize, and one that demands our immediate attention.

Before we dive in, I want to give you a heads up – this episode deals with child safety and exploitation. If you've got little ones around, you might want to use headphones. And if this topic is triggering for you personally, please take care of yourself. We're going to handle this with the seriousness and respect it deserves.

Let's get into it.

A new study just came out, and the numbers are staggering. According to research from Georgia State University's School of Public Health, 1 in 12 children are being exposed to sexual exploitation and abuse online. Let me say that again – one in twelve kids.

Think about your child's classroom. Your neighborhood. Your church youth group. That statistic means that in any group of twelve children, one of them is likely dealing with online sexual exploitation or abuse. That's not some distant problem happening somewhere else – this is happening right now, in our communities, maybe even in our own homes, and we might not even know it.

Dr. Xiangming Fang, the lead researcher, put it plainly: "Rapid advancements in digital technology and the growth of internet and smartphone access, particularly in developing nations, are putting more children at risk every day."

Every. Single. Day.

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking – "My kid's not on those kinds of websites" or "I monitor what they do online." And that's good, that's important. But here's the hard truth: predators don't just hang out on the dark corners of the internet anymore. They're on gaming platforms. Social media apps. Even educational websites. Anywhere children gather online, predators are looking for opportunities.

 

So how does this happen? How are children being exploited online? Let me break down some of the most common tactics predators use, because knowledge is our first line of defense.

Grooming: This is the most insidious tactic. A predator will befriend a child online, often posing as another kid or a trusted adult figure. They build trust over time – weeks, sometimes months. They learn about the child's interests, their problems at home or school, their insecurities. They make the child feel special, understood, seen. And then, gradually, they introduce sexual content, normalize inappropriate conversations, and manipulate the child into sending explicit images or engaging in sexual conversations.

The worst part? Many children don't even realize they're being groomed until it's too late. They think they've found a friend, someone who "gets them" in ways their parents or peers don't.

Sextortion: This is when a predator obtains explicit images or videos of a child – sometimes through grooming, sometimes by hacking accounts or devices – and then threatens to share those images with the child's family, friends, or school unless the child sends more content or does what the predator demands. The shame and fear keep children silent, trapped in a cycle of exploitation.

Live-streaming abuse: With technology advancing, predators are now paying to watch live-streamed abuse of children in real-time. This often happens in developing nations where poverty makes families vulnerable to exploitation, but it's not limited to any one region or economic class.

Gaming platforms and apps: Predators use voice chat in popular games, direct messaging features, and even seemingly innocent apps to make contact with children. Your child might think they're just playing Minecraft, Roblox, or Fortnite with friends, but predators are using these platforms to identify and target vulnerable kids.

 

So why is this crisis getting worse? Several factors are colliding to create what experts are calling a perfect storm for child exploitation.

First: Technology is outpacing safety measures. Every time platforms develop new safety features, predators find ways around them. End-to-end encryption – which is great for privacy – also makes it harder for law enforcement to detect and stop abuse. New apps and platforms emerge faster than regulations can keep up.

Second: The pandemic accelerated children's online presence. Remote learning, social isolation, and increased screen time during COVID-19 created more opportunities for predators. Many children were spending hours online with less supervision than ever before. And even as we've returned to more normal routines, those online habits have stuck.

Third: Smartphone access is exploding globally. Dr. Fang specifically mentioned developing nations, where internet and smartphone access is growing rapidly but without the infrastructure, education, or resources to protect children. Predators are exploiting this gap, targeting vulnerable populations where awareness is low and enforcement is weak.

Fourth: The normalization of sharing online. We've raised a generation of children who've grown up sharing their lives online. Photos, locations, daily activities, thoughts and feelings – it's all public or semi-public. This creates a treasure trove of information for predators to use in targeting and grooming children.

Fifth: There's money in it. The global trade in child sexual abuse material is a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise. Where there's profit, there's motivation. Organized crime networks are involved, using sophisticated technology and encrypted networks to evade law enforcement.

 

Alright, so we've painted a pretty dark picture. But here's the thing – we're not powerless. Experts have clear recommendations for how we can protect our children and fight back against this crisis. Let's talk about what actually works.

Open communication is everything. Don't make technology a taboo or scary subject. Have regular, age-appropriate conversations with your children about online safety. Make it clear that they can come to you if something uncomfortable happens online without fear of punishment or losing their devices. Many children stay silent because they're afraid of getting in trouble or losing internet privileges.

Create a script with your kids: "If anyone online asks you to keep secrets, asks for pictures, or makes you uncomfortable, come tell me immediately. You won't be in trouble. I just need to know so I can keep you safe."

Monitor, but don't just spy. Use parental controls and monitoring software, absolutely. But more importantly, be involved. Know what apps your kids are using. Play the games they play. Follow their social media accounts. Ask who they're talking to online the same way you'd ask who they're hanging out with at school.

Teach digital literacy and critical thinking. Help your children understand that not everyone online is who they claim to be. Teach them to recognize red flags: adults who want to chat privately, requests for personal information or photos, conversations that turn sexual, anyone who asks them to keep secrets from parents.

Schools need comprehensive digital safety education. This should be as routine as fire drills. Children need to learn about online safety, predatory tactics, and how to report concerning behavior. Teachers and staff need training to recognize signs of online exploitation.

Faith communities, youth organizations, and sports programs need policies and training around digital safety. Any organization working with children should have clear guidelines about online interaction between adults and minors, and should educate families about keeping kids safe online.

Support organizations that fight child exploitation. Groups like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Thorn, the Internet Watch Foundation, and others are doing critical work. They need funding, volunteers, and public support.

Experts are calling for several systemic changes:

Platform accountability: Social media companies, gaming platforms, and app developers must be held responsible for implementing robust safety features and responding quickly to reports of exploitation. Self-regulation isn't working – we need enforceable standards and consequences.

Increased law enforcement resources: Agencies need funding for specialized units that investigate online child exploitation. These investigations are resource-intensive, requiring technical expertise and international cooperation.

Global cooperation: Since the internet crosses borders, enforcement must too. We need international treaties, information sharing between nations, and coordinated action against global networks of exploitation.

Education and awareness campaigns: Public health approach to prevention, educating parents, children, and communities about the risks and how to mitigate them.

Technology solutions: Investment in AI and technology that can detect and report child sexual abuse material, identify predatory behavior patterns, and help law enforcement locate and rescue victims.

 

Let me give you some warning signs to watch for. These don't necessarily mean exploitation is happening, but they're red flags worth investigating:

If you see these signs, don't panic, but do investigate. Check their devices, talk to them calmly, and if you find evidence of exploitation, contact law enforcement immediately.

 

If you discover that your child or a child you know is being exploited online, here's what to do:

1. Stay calm. Your child needs you to be their anchor, not add to their fear and shame.

2. Believe them. If a child discloses abuse, believe them. False reports of sexual abuse by children are extremely rare.

3. Don't blame the child. Even if they initially engaged willingly before realizing what was happening, they are the victim. Predators are master manipulators.

4. Preserve evidence. Take screenshots, don't delete messages or images (as hard as that is), and document everything. This evidence is crucial for prosecution.

6. Get professional help. Children who've experienced sexual exploitation need specialized trauma therapy. Contact organizations like RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) for resources and referrals.

7. Be patient. Recovery takes time. Your child may experience shame, fear, anger, depression, or PTSD symptoms. Consistent support, professional help, and time are essential.

 

I know this has been heavy. Trust me, researching and writing this script was one of the hardest things I've done. But here's why I wanted to do this episode: because silence and ignorance are the predator's best friends.

When we talk about this openly, when we educate ourselves and our children, when we demand accountability from tech companies and action from policymakers, we take power away from those who would harm our children.

This isn't about fear-mongering or making parents paranoid. It's about being informed, vigilant, and proactive. Technology isn't the enemy – it's a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or for harm. Our job is to teach our children to use it wisely and safely, and to create systems that protect them when they can't protect themselves.

And ongoing:

 

Our children are growing up in a world that's more connected than ever before. That connection brings incredible opportunities for learning, creativity, and relationship. But it also brings risks that previous generations never had to face.

As parents, as adults, as a society, we have a responsibility to protect our children while empowering them to navigate this digital world safely. That means staying educated, staying involved, and refusing to look away from uncomfortable truths.

Dr. Fang and his fellow researchers are right – this is urgent. One in twelve children is too many. One child is too many. But with awareness, action, and commitment, we can change these numbers. We can make the internet safer for our kids. We can hold predators accountable. We can support survivors and prevent future victimization.

This fight requires all of us. So talk to your kids. Educate yourself. Get involved. Demand change. And above all, stay vigilant.

Because our children are counting on us.

 

Before we close, here are some resources for more information:

Thorn: thorn.org – Fighting child sexual abuse with technology

Common Sense Media: commonsensemedia.org – Reviews and advice on apps, games, and media

NetSmartz: netsmartz.org – Internet safety education resources

All of these resources will also be linked in the show notes.

 

Thanks for sticking with me through this tough but critical conversation. If this episode impacted you, share it with other parents, teachers, or anyone who works with children. Knowledge is power, and together we can create a safer digital world for our kids.

I'm Summer, and I'll catch you on the next episode. Until then, stay strong, stay vigilant, and keep fighting the good fight.