The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.Part 2 - Many times parents find it difficult to talk with their teen about the risks of online communication. The teen is often defensive (fearing they may lose access to their device). Or they may meet you with "Oh Mom/Dad, I will know if I am being catfished". Or even worse, "you just don't understand". Parents often say it is like they are talking to a brick wall. They are concerned for their child and yet know they are a good young person who means well (most of the time), but with all the changes taking place in technology, how can the parent be sure they won't be exploited? For those of you who follow Million Kids weekly "In the News" articles we are all acutely aware that the risks of being exploited online whether you are a teen or an adult, has never been greater. During this podcast we will explore some of the ways to have productive and eye opening dialogue with your family to help them understand the world they live in. We will discuss some of the new technologies and what to look out for and how to share it in a positive and thought provoking way with the young people in your life.
(The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.)
Many times parents find it difficult to talk with their teen about the risks of online communication. The teen is often defensive (fearing they may lose access to their device). Or they may meet you with "Oh Mom/Dad, I will know if I am being catfished". Or even worse, "you just don't understand". Parents often say it is like they are talking to a brick wall. They are concerned for their child and yet know they are a good young person who means well (most of the time), but with all the changes taking place in technology, how can the parent be sure they won't be exploited?
For those of you who follow Million Kids weekly "In the News" articles we are all acutely aware that the risks of being exploited online whether you are a teen or an adult, has never been greater. During this podcast we will explore some of the ways to have productive and eye opening dialogue with your family to help them understand the world they live in. We will discuss some of the new technologies and what to look out for and how to share it in a positive and thought provoking way with the young people in your life.
(The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.)
**IF YOU KNOW A TEENAGER WHO IS USING CHARACTER AI OR OTHER CHARACTER BASED CHAT BOT AND YOU HAVE NOT USED IT – YOU MUST HEAR THIS PODCAST**
Multiple research reports indicate that more than HALF of U.S. teenagers use Character AI or other character based chatbot daily, most often on their cell phone. Most adults are completely oblivious about how character chatbots work. Besides Character.AI, there are apps like Chai/AI, Anima/AI, TavernAI and Replika. Users create personas like celebrities, historical characters or design their own characters. Character AI is different from ChatGPT and other AI applications. Character AI can detect emotions from your input and respond, adjusting their tone based on what you say.Many young users interviewed indicated they use the chat bot because they are lonely or have social issues and turned to chatbots because they felt it was safer. In our opinion, nothing could be further from the truth. The Million Kids team has spent hundreds of hours researching the impact of interactive character bots once they saw that these app companies are being sued by parents of teens who took their own lives after interacting with these bots. We have very grave concerns about anyone under the age of 18 using these apps. As our research team interacted with the top ten characters on Character AI we found the most popular are related to sorcery or character attitudes degrading the user. Language used often included “bow down to me you fool”, with over 393 Million interactions, Alice the Bully, or lets consult our crystal ball. Parents, teachers, pastors, this is an important educational discussion. Please find out if a child you might influence is using Character AI as a means of escaping reality. Ask them to share the app with you and then get involved in a meaningful discussion related to self-worth, defining values, and how we are influenced by outsiders. Our suggestion is that working together, finding alternative activities that are much more wholesome, and builds self esteem and REAL character. This app is dangerous to kids who are easily influenced or do not have the maturity to delineate bot relationships from reality.
(The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.)
Character AI and other character based interactive chat bots are now a way of life for many teenagers. Yet, few adults have any working knowledge of these technologies and even more concerning the negative impact they can have on young people. This is a major concern as there have been multiple situations where a teen becomes so engaged with a character they develop hostile, and abusive attitudes and in a couple of cases have taken their own lives.
It is critical that parents and youth influencers of all types immediately make the time to try this technology and learn about the impact on the young people in their lives.
Research indicates that over 70% of teens have used Character AI and more than 50% use it every day. Those teens that are using it often spend one to two hours a day interacting with an online fictitious character. Many teens are emotionally involved with their character and will share their most personal secrets. Multiple interviews with teens who are regularly interacting with an AI character say they are doing so because they are lonely, a real life social misfit or are bored. 41% of users interact with ai characters for emotional support or companionship. Users are 3.2 times more likely to disclose personal information to an AI character than to a human stranger online.
During this podcast we will explore some of the characters and the type of dialogue that is exchanged between the chat bot and young people. Researchers at Million Kids were stunned by the constant negative dialogue between many of the most popular characters and young impressable users. We implore parents, teachers, pastors and anyone interacting with teens and preteens, to listen to the podcast and get engaged so they are informed and can discuss character ai usage with teens.
(The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.)
This is the first installment in a critical new series exploring the rise of AI chatbots among teens — with a spotlight on a recent research study conducted by Heat Initiative and ParentsTogether Action. We are deeply grateful for their investment in uncovering how young people are interacting with AI-powered characters, and the alarming risks that can result — including psychological harm, manipulation, and in some tragic cases, real-life consequences.
Read the research summary (via Mashable) at https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/characterai-unsafe-for-teens-experts-say/ar-AA1LQw5z
**Key stats:**
72% of teens have used AI chatbots
Over half use them multiple times a month
Character.AI boasts over 28 million monthly users, with more than 18 million unique chatbots created.
Many parents aren't aware this is not a passing trend. It’s a digital revolution unfolding in the pockets of our kids and often unsupervised. Character.AI is one of the world’s most popular AI chatbot platforms. It allows users to engage in deep, ongoing conversations with AI personas — including celebrities, fictional characters, or completely original bots designed to feel like digital friends or companions. It’s open to anyone aged 13 and up and verification is weak and easily bypassed.
For many teens, these bots become more than a game. They become confidants. Advisors. Romantic interests. And while some interactions are harmless, others escalate often quickly and dangerously. When a child forms an emotional bond with a chatbot that simulates affection, validation, or intimacy, it creates an altered psychological reality. The child may become dependent, manipulated, or traumatized when the bot “ghosts,” behaves inappropriately, or feeds unhealthy beliefs.
In some tragic cases, these interactions have contributed to real psychological distress and even self-harm.
If you’re a parent, teacher, pastor, or first responder, anyone who works with youth in any capacity, and you haven't explored platforms like Character.AI, we strongly urge you to learn about them now. These apps are not fringe or niche. They are everywhere, and your child, student, or congregant may already be engaging with them. Educate yourself, talk to your teens, and follow this series as we unpack this growing phenomenon.
We’re not here to spread fear. We’re here to educate and spark urgency, awareness, and action. Artificial Intelligence isn’t going away. But we can prepare our children to navigate it with wisdom, guidance, and boundaries.
*The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.
This podcast is part 2 of a two part series.
Operation Broken Blade
In August 2025, the U.S. Federal Government agencies including DOJ, FBI, and IRS joined with the Los Angeles Police Department to arrest 11 members of the Hoover Criminal Street Gang for sex trafficking children and adults along the Figueroa Corridor in south Los Angeles. The individuals are facing a 31 count indictment charges as well as Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Figueroa Corridor in Los Angeles has been a well-known area for street prostitution for many years with local officials turning a blind eye to the seriousness of the issue. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli is quoted as saying: “There are no meaningful consequences for their conduct under California State Law, so the federal government- aided by its local law enforcement partners- will step in to make sure these criminals face lengthy prison sentences. Today’s operation is the first step in returning the Figueroa Corridor - long know as prostitution haven – back to its residents who have suffered for too long while criminals were allowed to run amok."
Multiple articles regarding this incident state that Amaya Armstead, a female, (aka “Lady Duck”) is the case’s lead defendant and the de factor leader of the group. She is accused of trafficking a 14-year-old girl. She is also accused of attacking and beating a young girl working for her, holding her down by the hair and kicking and kneeing her, while the young girl screamed she was pregnant. The young female victims were recruited by the Hoover Gang members through social media and personally. Many came from out of state and were seduced into believing they would live a life of luxury and be taken care of. Once they arrived they were drugged and forced to work long hours soliciting clients and performing commercial sext acts on the Figueroa Corridor.
Million Kids applauds the efforts to take down these violent gang members who have been allowed to recruit and exploit young girls and operate in broad daylight. Until Federal Government Organizations joined with local law enforcement, it seemed few civic leaders would do what it takes to rescue the girls and prosecute hard core gang members who preyed on the most vulnerable. This seems to be a sex trafficking and money laundering case that deserves to be prosecuted under RICO.
*The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.This podcast is a two part series. In August 2025, the U.S. Federal Government agencies including DOJ, FBI, and IRS joined with the Los Angeles Police Department to arrest 11 members of the Hoover Criminal Street Gang for sex trafficking children and adults along the Figueroa Corridor in south Los Angeles. The individuals are facing a 31 count indictment charges as well as Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Figueroa Corridor in Los Angeles has been a well-known area for street prostitution for many years with local officials turning a blind eye to the seriousness of the issue. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli is quoted as saying: “There are no meaningful consequences for their conduct under California State Law, so the federal government- aided by its local law enforcement partners- will step in to make sure these criminals face lengthy prison sentences. Today’s operation is the first step in returning the Figueroa Corridor - long know as prostitution haven – back to its residents who have suffered for too long while criminals were allowed to run amok."Multiple articles regarding this incident state that Amaya Armstead, a female, (aka “Lady Duck”) is the case’s lead defendant and the de factor leader of the group. She is accused of trafficking a 14-year-old girl. She is also accused of attacking and beating a young girl working for her, holding her down by the hair and kicking and kneeing her, while the young girl screamed she was pregnant. The young female victims were recruited by the Hoover Gang members through social media and personally. Many came from out of state and were seduced into believing they would live a life of luxury and be taken care of. Once they arrived they were drugged and forced to work long hours soliciting clients and performing commercial sext acts on the Figueroa Corridor. Million Kids applauds the efforts to take down these violent gang members who have been allowed to recruit and exploit young girls and operate in broad daylight. Until Federal Government Organizations joined with local law enforcement, it seemed few civic leaders would do what it takes to rescue the girls and prosecute hard core gang members who preyed on the most vulnerable. This seems to be a sex trafficking and money laundering case that deserves to be prosecuted under RICO.
We may be living in THE most important time in all ofhistory. Especially if you are a pastor,or Christian leader working with youth. Why? Because in 2022 the entire worldwas connected by 5G high speed internet at the same time as new technologieswere introduced including AI, geo location software, global money transfer andmass audience live streaming. This isthe first generation of young people in all of history that can reach theentire world AND at the same time the entire world can also reach them.
Nearly 5.5 billion people are online. Some are good, some arecriminals. Some are criminals that seeaccessing and seducing American teens will generate millions for their poorcountry. Our young people must understand the world they now live in. What anincredible call to leadership for the faith-based community.
It is indeed a calling. It is a time to have discussionsabout truth and how to recognize it. AI will make everything seem real. It is agreat opportunity to teach our youth to define (write down) their values. It isimportant to talk about digital morality. Some teens believe that what they do online doesn’t count because it isnot real. What about shooting a cop in a video game, is that ok?
This is a great opportunity to talk about grace andforgiveness and helping others who are victims of cyber bullying. Christian young people need to know aboutfinancial sextortion of teenagers, how it works, what it looks like and how toprotect themselves. And teens need toknow the many positive ways technology can be used to help others. For example, talk about what it might looklike to be a “cyber missionary” or creating a prayer circle with friends.
This is a great call to Christian Leadership to prepare themost important generation of kids that have ever lived, to use their knowledgeand expertise to educate and protect the next generation of siblings, cousins,friends that live in a globally connected world.
This past week we saw a story in the Associated Press with an interesting headline. “Students have been arrested for false alarms from AI surveillance." The story relates an interesting situation. It seems a 13-year-old girl made an offensive joke while chatting online with her classmates, which triggered the schools’ AI surveillance software. Everyone seemed to agree (including mother and student) that the comments were “wrong” and “stupid” but the context showed they were not a threat (per the article). The article goes on to say that “surveillance systems in American schools increasing monitor everything students write on school accounts and devices." Thousands of school districts across the country use software like Gaggle and Lightspeed Alert to track kid’s online activities, looking for signs that the students might hurt themselves and or others. The girl had been texting with friends on a chat function tied to her school email. The AI function identified the perceived threat and school authorities and law enforcement were alerted. She was arrested, spent the night in jail and strip-searched. Later the court ordered eight weeks of house arrest, a psychological evaluation and 20 days at an alternative school. There is now a law suit filed against the school. This is a fascinating case, and I welcome comments from Million Kids followers. Email Opal at info@millionkids.org or make a comment on the podcast. Since this organization combats sextortion and online exploitation, I could not help but wonder if this technology could be used if a student sends or receives CSAM or a nude or is receiving demands for money from someone. Especially if that communication is originating outside the United States. Perhaps we could save lives.The article is especially interesting to me because they laid out all of the atrocities of the situation but only at the end do they tell you that it took place two years ago. AI has changed dramatically in two years. It is my hope that there has been substantial refinement in the detection systems so that school administrators and law enforcement can sort through when a student is making a crude remark, or bad joke, and when it is the real threat and needs immediate attention. Whether we agree or disagree with AI monitoring, we also need to educate our kids that statements about causing harm, bombs, killing, guns, or threats of any kind will be taken seriously, especially if you are using a system provided by a school organization. Be sure to join us.
Romance Scams have created more than $105 BILLION dollars in losses for the year ending 2024. Almost every victim of a romance scam would have sworn that it would not happen to them. Most people think they will know if they are being taken in by someone they have never met. What few of us realize is that the predators are out there in numbers we cannot even imagine, and they are very good at making you feel special.
Romance Scams have soared because of a technological transformation that has occurred over the past three to four years. We all have heard about artificial intelligence, and it will certainly make people vulnerable online to all types of online exploitation. By using AI, cybercriminals can create images and alter voices to look like anyone to seduce you into believing they care about you. Then the blackmail begins.
Romance Scams are literally exploding in volume around the globe. It is because developing countries are now online and they have access to artificial intelligence and global money transfer. The sad reality is that the person most likely purporting to be your new love is a victim of trafficking themselves. If you are interested, you may want to go to You Tube and search for “Scam Farms”. Criminal groups in developing countries are using tens of thousands of people who have been duped by cybercriminals and are now surviving by delivering romance scams, crypto currency scams and financial sextortion scams.
If you believe that you are a victim of a romance scam, immediately take the following steps:
1. Stop all communications, shut down your device, change your privacy setting to private. Do not accept any new friends or communications as these individuals have multiple personas they utilize.
2. Tell someone immediately. I know it is hard to admit to, but it will never get better without intervention. Tell a trusted friend, a pastor, a relative, or law enforcement.
3. You can report it anonymously at 1-888-373-7888.
4. Do NOT send more money to try to get back the money you lost. It won’t help.
5. Get Counseling from a professional you trust.
6. If you want to investigate this individual, you may want to hire a private investigator that you know or has good credentials. One investigator who specializes in online investigation is Lynda Bergh Herring, a member of the Million Kids team, at LJBInvestigations.com. You are not the first victim, and you won’t be the last.
Yes, you may be hurt, embarrassed, and afraid. By reporting them, you can stop others from becoming victims. You still have the power to change the situation.
The following may contain sensitive topics, listener discretion is advised.
For the past few years, the Million Kids Team has explored the challenges related to global financial sextortion of our kids. It is truly a pandemic with many victims and many kids who pay the ultimate price. One of the discussions we have had is centered around the role that schools and educators can or should play in prevention and intervention of sextortion cases.
The discussions often center around the idea that most sextortion victims are school- age-kids and most kids get introduced to online digital activity at schools. And yet, at this writing, there is no centralized approach to intervention if a student is being blackmailed, and there is no safe haven for a young person to report when they are in a crisis. Add to this issue the fact that now, some of the students are accessing “nudify” sites and using AI to create “deepfake” images of other students. The victims of “deepfake” images also are victims of digital exploitation and it is a crime to do so.
Our first thoughts is that this is a global epidemic as developing countries come online and access our kids. The blackmail can be so extreme, most victims are severely distraught. This is a a somewhat new criminal trend and most school leadership is not prepared to deal with it. During this podcast we review the suggestions from the U.K. educators and outline the challenges for educators.
In August 2024, the Million Kids research team came across an article that discussed a case where five 8th grade boys in a Beverly Hills Middle School were expelled for creating and sharing deep fake nude photos of female classmates. In this situation, the students accessed “nudify” apps and used the software programs to super impose the faces of their classmates on images that were nude or sexual in nature.
The article indicates that this case follows a series of similar incidents involving students creating and sharing AI-generated nude photos of their fellow classmates at high schools around the world. The article went on to state that a New Jersey teen victim spoke about her experience in front of federal lawmakers in Washington, DC to advocate for a federal law criminalizing all nonconsensual sexually explicit deep fakes. No such federal law existed.
Subsequently, President Donald Trump recently signed a bill proposed by First Lady Melania Trump called the “Take it Down Act” to create federal legislation making it a crime to create a deepfake that depicts an individual’s identity but is altered to create a fake image that is nude or sexual in nature.
As our research team began to explore the situation in Beverly Hills, it was noted that the middle school students had accessed "nudify" apps that provided the software to alter real life images and create nudes, sexually explicit or pornographic images. As we researched this situation, we were all surprised to find out that there are 60 such "nudify" websites offering a wide variety of services including super imposing others facial image to anime, pornography and Hentai (anime porn). Many of these sites offer their services globally and make it easy to use and access even for middle school students.
Parents, it is important to have a conversation with any young person who has access to the Internet. Share with them that when deepfakes are created, not only is it illegal to do so, it is extremely harmful to those victimized. Now that federal laws are being implemented, the consequences for the offenders using these sites to exploit others could be life altering. It is critical that young people understand that while it may sound like fun, they are also accessing pornographic sites that gather information about the users, and they could expose themselves and their families, to individuals and organizations that will not have their best interest at heart.
Warning: This podcast explores subjects that may be sensitive to some. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) or a local mental health professional.
This podcast looks at how people in developing countries, access, groom and exploit U.S. teenagers and exploit them to the point of abuse and sometimes suicide. It is called “Financial Sextortion”, and it is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. Now we learn that their first encounter is often with an individual who is also a victim of human trafficking.
This week Interpol released new information on the globalization of scam centers indicating that human trafficking victims have been trafficked into criminality from more than 66 countries in the world with emphasis on Southeast Asia and Africa. As an American, few of us really understand what is happening here and even more concerning, very few understand the impact that it will have on U.S. teenagers and adults looking for a relationship online.
As the entire world is now connected by 5G high speed Internet, Cartel organizations in third world countries use A.I. generated employment ads to seduce innocent poor people seeking legitimate work. Often these individuals end up on “Scam Farms” in Southeast Asia, Africa, or South America where they become human trafficking victims. The are forced to spend long hours seducing teens in the U.S., UK or Australia into sending illicit photos or perpetuating a romance scam. Once they are successful in securing an illicit image from a teen, the photo is immediately turned over to the cartel and the blackmail of a U.S. teen begins.
To date, approximately 42 outstanding teens have taken their own lives because of the brutality of “financial sextortion”. One young victim received over 1,000 texts in 24 hours demanding thousands of dollars or suggesting that he end his life. Recently in the case of Caleb Moore, his mother said it was only 35 minutes between the time that he realized that he was trapped and the criminals pressured him to take extreme measures. Our heart bleeds for the families that are left dealing with a lifetime of travesty.
At Million Kids, we believe this must change. Perhaps app companies could post “offshore” on any communication coming from outside the U.S. We need national curriculums to educate about a globally connected world and the impact of foreign national cartels and scam farms. Every young person and parent should be provided with a documentary about financial sextortion with instructions on what to do and what not to do. And there must be a safe place intervention for a young person to be able to access if they find they are in the cross hairs of global organized criminal groups.
Warning: This podcast explores the impact of suicide in the context of financial sextortion. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, we encourage you to seek help—support is available. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) or a local mental health professional.
For the past two years, the team of researchers at MillionKids.org has followed the heart breaking trend where exceptionally fine young males are seduced/tricked into sending a nude, and then they are blackmailed by an overseas criminal group, and ultimately they take their own lives. It is a unique phenomenon that just tears at the soul. As we read the stories of these young men and all their dreams and hopes and plans for the future, suddenly comes to an end based on one spur of the moment decision. Million Kids is a group of connected professionals bound together by a common passion. We share the latest trends and combine our thoughts in a search for solutions. Together we have reviewed more than 40 stories of financial sextortion that came to a tragic end. We try to craft actions that can make a difference. We look for answers on how we can educate parents, teens, and school professionals about how financial sextortion works and how can we keep our kids from falling prey to it. The agonizing truth is that financial sextortion is just getting started. As the entire world became connected through 5g high speed internet, coupled with mass audience live streaming, geo location software, global money transfer, and now artificial intelligence, every third world criminal will realize that there is a gold mine in tricking and seducing America's teens. They know if they can get a young person to send a nude they can blackmail them for large sums of money. Once the image is sent, the blackmail is more brutal than anyone of us can understand until you read these heartbreaking stories. One victim received a thousand texts in 24 hours, demanding money and suggesting he should end his life. Few American families understand that our kids are on the front line of global extortion and even fewer know what to do about it. Be sure to join us.
UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF GLOBAL MONEY TRANSFER IN FINANCIAL SEXTORTION SCHEMES IMPACTING TEENS AND ADULTS. Recently, our team of researchers at Million Kids saw two completely different articles about criminal online exploitation scams involving large payouts of money that were generated out of the country and impacted U.S citizens. One had the headline: “I lost $1M to a romance scam” and the other was the announcement of the arrest of criminals in West Africa that brought a naïve but incredible young man in Northern California to take his own life. Both stories are enormously heartbreaking.During this podcast we are going to look at the impact of global high speed 5g internet connection that is literally allowing overseas criminals to open the doors of unsuspecting lives in the U.S, and fleecing them of their money, driving them into deep depression and sometimes ends in suicide. We will discuss the role of scam farms where organized crime is enslaving tens of thousands of poor people in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, Ivory Coast, Brazil, Mexico, India, and Nigeria and forcing them to seduce and fleece victims in the U.S., Australia, and United Kingdom etc. The most common forms of payment used by the scammers are Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, Apple Pay and online gift cards such as iTunes, Google Play, Amazon and Steam Cards. The world of online financial sextortion and romance scams is changing fast. The global connection of technology literally puts third world criminals at your front door. We must talk to our kids (and seniors) so they understand how a globally connected world literally puts global predators and criminals right in their bedrooms and back pocket. And they won’t look like you think they do.
CSAM (Child S*x Abuse Materials, formerly known as "child p*rn") is one of the most prolific underground crimes of our generation. Most people don’t understand it, and many people don’t want to look at it or acknowledge it. The reality is that it is truly horrific, traumatic and for most of us it is downright disgusting. But we cannot look the other way. A child’s whole life is at stake.
CSAM happens when a pedophile (or groups of pedophiles) either seduces a minor into sending self-generated images of nudity or illicit sexual poses, or a child is violated by a predator/pedophile and the event is memorialized by photos, videos, or recorded live streaming. After the initial violation is recorded, the images are often shared over and over in large scale pedophile rings around the world. The young victim experiences re-victimization over and over as the images are shared, and they often feel helpless as it is nearly impossible to get the images back.
During this week’s podcast we will explore how underground pedophile rings operated in the Dark Net and Bulletproof Hosting sites and Peer to Peer Networks. We will look at a recent news release about how CSAM administrators and participants used crypto currency to pay for tokens to subscribe to a CSAM ring with over 1.8 MILLION participants. We will also discover how law enforcement was able to work with block chain technology, and Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange to identify 1400 of the participants and arrest and bring down 79 suspects.
Technology is not good or bad. It is how it is used. Pedophiles are getting more and more sophisticated and so is law enforcement. Congratulations to law enforcement as they work to capture these criminals.
The Take It Down Act will protect victims of digital exploitation, hold internet platforms accountable by requiring them to remove such imagery from their platform and provide justice for victims by allowing prosecutors to go after those who publish nonconsensual explicit images online," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters (as reported in USA Today Network).
May 19th President Donald Trump signed a bill that had been promoted by Melania Trump to help protect minors from online exploitation. The bill does many things including requiring Electronic Service Providers (ESP) to scrub their platforms and take down any non-consensual intimate imagery upon notice from the victim within 48 hours of the verified request.
Million Kids celebrates this achievement. Certainly, there is much more to be done. Few parents, teachers, pastors, civic leaders and parents and grandparents recognize the magnitude of the issue.
In 2024, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) processed more than 20 MILLION reports of possible online exploitation. This is with only 15% of ESPs reporting. And Million Kids believes the number is much greater because of some manipulation in reporting.
Even more terrifying is to recognize that 84% reports of child sexual exploitation online resolved outside the U.S., meaning that our kids are on the global front line of exploitation. It is important to understand that there was a 1,325% increase in CyberTipline Reports that involved Generative AL Technology (GAI).
Be sure to join this podcast as we sort through the upside of this new legislation and challenge all of us to do more to keep our kids safe from predators.
Many apps are classified as mass audience live streaming and that includes Discord, TikTok, Byte, Like, Snapchat and Instagram. In many of these apps you can create a live stream where you are in real time with your audience allowing for immediate engagement. A lot of the gaming platforms also allow for live interaction with the other players. In both cases you are exposed to thousands of individuals you probably don't know. The real challenge is to be able to define who is the good guy and who might bring you harm. Even more challenging is how can you tell who is who? If you have a million followers on TikTok, what percentage are potential pedophiles or organized criminals looking to blackmail you or your family members?
During this podcast, we explore the challenges of having young people online in a globally connected world using apps that connect with thousands of people. Understanding how all of this works and the possible risks when dealing with the crimes of sextortion and online exploitation is something every parent needs to understand.
We are working to educate you so that you can educate the next generation with a lasting impact on the generations to come. PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PODCAST AND SHARE WITH PARENTS & CAREGIVERS.
Our world has experienced a technological transformation unlike anything we have ever seen in history. Right after the Covid Pandemic, we began to see announcements about how the entire world is now connected by 5G high speed internet. It is estimated that there are now over 5.5 Billion Internet users around the globe. Think about the impact! That means your children are the first generation in all of history that can reach the entire world - BUT THAT MEANS THE ENTIRE WORLD CAN REACH YOUR KIDS!
The Million Kids leadership team has researched and followed this phenomena for years. It is a historic time AND it is life changing. This generation will lead all future generations to live in a world without borders. It just might be the greatest challenge of all times for both young people and their parents.
Technology can be used for good, but when it is used to harm, extort, or exploit young people, then we have to take a stand. Criminals from all over the world are starting to realize they can seduce, trick, and exploit our kids into sending illicit photos and blackmail them for large sums of money. But now with AI and deepfakes they won't need the original image, they can alter any online image and threaten a naive and unsuspecting victim.
We are working to educate you so that you can educate the next generation with a lasting impact on the generations to come.
The crime of sextortion has been around for nearly two decades. Historically sextortion involved someone being tricked and coerced into sending a nude or illicit image, video or sharing an explicit live stream. There were many different variations of sextortion and driving influencers. Sometimes it was an individual pedophile that wanted to own/control their victim and even meet up to exploit the victim. Then we saw sextortion increase throughout child sexual abuse material rings (CSAM), formerly called child pornography. This developed primarily on the dark web and then moved off shore to countries that operate in "don't ask- don't tell" environments.
But the world has changed over the past three years and few people are taking note. We have seen a convergence of advanced technologies that have come together to change online exploitation into total **digital warfare** - warfare that targets our kids and our seniors. This podcast will be the first of several podcasts to explore the implications of ten separate technologies that have many great features. At the same time these technologies create a perfect storm for pedophiles, predators, cartels and third world criminals giving them immediate access to exploit our children.