Strangers in the living Room: The hidden dangers of a digital childhood with Jess Leslie from ChildFund

In this powerful episode with Jess Leslie, Director of Online Protection Programs at ChildFund International, we uncover the unsettling truth about digital childhoods—and what it means when a child says, “There are a lot of people here today,” while playing a game. Jess shares how a career in combating gender-based violence and child exploitation led her to the frontlines of online safety, where the threats are invisible but deeply real. Key highlights include:

• Jess’s journey from tackling human trafficking to leading child online protection across 24 countries
• Why screen time limits aren’t enough—and the deeper conversations families need to be having
• The importance of trust-building over rule-setting when guiding children online
• Insights into how trauma and digital risks intersect in today’s childhoods
• How ChildFund is driving global change through education, policy, and platform accountability
• Practical tips for parents: from asking the right questions to creating safe digital spaces at home

Let’s empower families and reshape the digital landscape, together.