#87 - Predators Don’t Break Into Homes..They DM Your Kids: The Truth Behind A.I., Deepfakes, & Sextortion w/Ben Gillenwater

Think your kid’s phone is just a screen? Think again. It’s an always-open door. A Pandora's box you can only regret you shut.

We sit down with Ben, The Family IT Guy, a 30-year cybersecurity veteran and dad, to map the new terrain of digital parenting: algorithm-driven feeds, anonymous chats, sextortion, deepfakes, and the quiet ways addictive design erodes sleep, focus, and safety. No panic, no fluff—just the playbook families need right now.

From there, we tackle platform myths. Roblox’s parental controls still let young kids into explicit spaces. These dopamine driven app designs and their origins make it a magnet for predators and sextortion. The rule of thumb is clear: avoid algorithms and open DMs. If a product can scroll forever or message anyone, treat it as high risk.

To watch Episode #87, like and subscribe: https://youtu.be/1Syc0LbBInE

Sextortion gets the spotlight it deserves. Criminal networks now use AI to forge nude images from everyday photos and clone voices from short clips. The guidance is firm: don’t pay, tell a trusted adult immediately, file with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and use Take It Down to remove images. Build a family tech agreement that includes a “free pass” when kids report harm—predators rely on shame and silence. We also dig into schools’ devices, expanding surveillance tech, and why privacy can’t be assumed.

AI isn’t the villain or the savior—it’s a power tool. Used unsupervised, it can short-circuit thinking. Used well, it helps kids ask better questions and break problems into first principles. Our stance: kids don’t use AI alone; adults learn it first and model critical thinking. By the end, you’ll have clear rules, smart tools, and scripts to talk with your kids without fear or lectures.

If this helped, follow, share with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these safety tools. Your next best step: set a family device drop-off time tonight and talk about a free pass.

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