In this episode of Ghost Stories, our guest is Detective Lieutenant Mike Sewall from the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office. Detective Sewall, an expert in internet crimes against children, shares crucial advice on ensuring online safety for students and families. He discusses the prevalence of online threats like sextortion and cyberbullying, the importance of privacy settings on popular platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, and practical steps for parents to protect their children online. He also emphasizes the importance of trust, open communication, and responsible digital behavior. This episode aims to empower parents and students with the knowledge they need to navigate the complex digital world safely.

01:01 Introducing Detective Lieutenant Mike Sewall
02:41 Mike Sewall's Background and Experience
04:09 Day-to-Day Work of an Internet Crimes Detective
05:55 Posing as a Child Online
07:32 The Prevalence of Snapchat in Online Crimes
08:45 Privacy Settings and Sextortion
14:57 Trust and Communication with Your Child
17:30 Other Social Media Platforms: Instagram and Facebook
19:33 Digital Identity and Privacy
20:20 Social Media Platforms and Privacy Settings
21:35 Parental Guidance and Child Safety Online
23:57 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
27:54 Screen Time and Its Consequences
31:17 Empowering Kids and Parents
36:18 Final Thoughts and Takeaways