Skip to main content

Hazards

Common Online Hazards for Minors Include:


  • Sexting/CSAM/Online Predators
  • Bullying
  • Addictive Feeds
  • Chatbot Dependence
  • Video Games that Mimic Gambling



Many of the hazards listed above are familiar to most people.  A few of the hazards are worth a deeper dive. 

CSAM


  • Stands for Child Sexual Abuse Material
  • Includes real and AI generated content
  • If a minor is involved, regardless of consent, the content is illegal



Addictive Feeds


  • Unlimited feed of material on any subject. Platforms own all content, can reuse content anytime they see fit.
  • Algorithms are designed to keep users on the platform.
  • Some video games use a variable ratio reward schedule to keep users playing the game.  This is the same reward schedule used in slot machines.


deceptive ID


  • There is no guarantee that a person is who they say they are.  People can create any identity they want.
  • AI generated content not universally identified





HELP

Help addressing children's social media habits depend upon the concern. These include:


  • Help with time management
  • Help with content
  • Help identifying online imposters


content


  • There are phones on the market that limit internet access.
  • There are apps available to help monitor content. 
  • Common Sense Media provides broad information on age-appropriate content-www.commonsensemedia.org



time online



Deceptive ID



Other helpful resources include:

 RAINN-

rainn.org


Parents Together Action- 

ParentsTogether Action – Fighting for issues that matter to kids and families


Center for Humane Technology-

www.humanetech.com




If your Child is in immediate danger : Dial 911



If your child is missing contact: The National Hotline for Missing and exploited children
24 hour hotline - 1-800-843-5678

    This organization is also a resource to combat CSAM, addresses the "take it down" laws, and has other information that addresses abusive content.

Click here to visit the website for more information:  National Center for Missing & Exploited Children


if your child is in danger of harming themselves or others, contact the suicide and Crisis lifeline:   988