Defend Young Minds

If your child has ADHD, you know they think and react differently. Their impulsivity and curiosity can make conversations about pornography even more challenging. But one mistake could actually make them more vulnerable instead of keeping them safe. In our latest article, "The #1 Mistake Parents Make When Warning Their ADHD Child About Porn," we cover: ?? Why ADHD kids need a pre-rehearsed plan to reject porn. ?? A powerful way to help reduce impulsivity and improve self-control. ?? Why avoiding the conversation can backfire—and what to say instead. You don’t have to be a perfect parent—just a prepared one. Full article: https://bit.ly/4kd87qh #defendyoungminds #adhd #digitaldangers #onlinedangers #parentalcontrols #internetsafety #onlinesafety #smartphone #socialmedia

Social media isn’t just a distraction—it’s a direct pipeline to harmful content. In a recent Deseret News article, Josh Haskell, a college student who struggled with pornography addiction, shared a powerful warning: Instagram is the No. 1 gateway to porn for young men. He explained how even those trying to avoid explicit content are quickly fed more sexualized material based on their browsing habits. Full article: https://bit.ly/41m7LVO After facing his own addiction, Josh founded a group to help other college students fight porn addiction, using his experience to raise awareness about the dangers of social media. Key Takeaways: ?? Unlike other harmful substances, social media is always in their pocket, making it harder than ever for users to "detox." (Even if you don’t allow social media, your kids may still be exposed through friends or other devices. Open conversations are essential for preparing them to make safe choices.) ?? No child is immune. Even the most innocent, well-intentioned kids will be exposed to content they’re not prepared to handle. (Our book series 'Good Pictures Bad Pictures' teaches kids how to recognize and reject porn. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gKpPWSbH) ?? Holding the line on social media may come with a social cost—but it’s a trade worth making to protect your child’s future. (We recommend delaying social media until at least age 16, and even then proceeding with caution.) How are you delaying social media in your home? Drop your best tip below! ?? #defendyoungminds #socialmedia #deseretnews #delaysocialmedia #smartphone #firstphone #kidsafephone #socialmediadetox

Predators are leveraging AI tools to target kids online! In a recent newsletter from Parents Protecting Children Inc., Founder Deacon John O’Maley revealed two major AI-driven threats every parent should be aware of: ?? AI-Driven Chatbots: Designed to mimic real conversations, these chatbots build trust and extract personal information over time. ?? Deepfake Technology & Fake Profiles: AI-generated images are used to create fake social media accounts for manipulating kids into sharing private details. ?? “Many parents assume their child is “too smart” to fall for online dangers. The truth is, today’s threats are more sophisticated than ever, and even the most tech-savvy kids can be at risk.” -Deacon John O’Maley So how can you help kids safely navigate this tricky realm of AI? ?? https://bit.ly/3zj81ue #defendyoungminds #ai #chatbot #aichatbot #deepfake #deepfakes #artificialintelligence #parentsprotectingchildren

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has called out Sextortion as the "Largest Blackmail Operation in Human History." ?? Sextortion is the use of explicit images to blackmail victims, often demanding money in exchange for keeping the images private. And while this crisis is growing, tech companies aren’t doing nearly enough to stop it. Between August 2022 and August 2023, an average of 812 sextortion cases were reported every week—and the numbers keep rising. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children saw cases jump from 139 in 2021 to 26,000 in 2023—an 18,000% increase in just two years. ?? These scams aren’t random—they’re highly organized criminal operations. Sextortion rings, often run by gangs, use social media, AI chatbots, and scripted manipulation to target vulnerable teens. See https://bit.ly/3zAdqO3 for our 10 best tips to defend kids against sextortion scams. Thorn #defendyoungminds #endexploitation #ncose #ncmec #thorn #sextortionscam #socialmedia #ai #chatbot #aichatbot #scam #blackmail

?? Harmful racial stereotypes that society is working to erase still flourish in the porn industry, where Black and other minority performers are often dehumanized, degraded, and subjected to violence. Kids are consuming porn at alarming rates, absorbing these toxic messages about race and relationships. If we want to raise a generation that values equality and respect, we must teach them to reject pornography. Dr. Carolyn West, a leading expert in clinical psychology, exposes the disturbing reality of racism in porn and how it shapes young minds. The good news? She also shares powerful ways to help kids reject both porn and racism. See https://bit.ly/3Zw2vNI for full article. This Black History Month, let’s commit to tackling these difficult topics with our kids. ?? #defendyoungminds #blackhistorymonth #endexploitation #digitalsafety #onlinedangers #onlinesafety

Gracie Abrams called out the harms of pornography in a recent interview with Cosmopolitan: ??? "It is dangerous, not real, and a performance. It’s really dangerous for young people for that to be their introduction to sex." She’s right—kids will look for answers. If we don’t talk to them about sex and porn, the internet will. And we all know that’s a dangerous teacher. Be the FIRST voice your child hears on these topics. A few of our favorite resources: ??Sex Talks for Kids 3 to 13+ guide: https://lnkd.in/gVidU_pM ??The Birds & The Bees Course for kids 1-10: https://lnkd.in/g9UGCRxi ??"Good Pictures Bad Pictures" books: https://lnkd.in/gKpPWSbH ??Free quickstart guide for talking to kids about porn: https://lnkd.in/g3eKpeuZ It’s never too late to start the conversation! #defendyoungminds #internetsafety #digitalsafety #onlinesafety #digitaldangers #onlinedangers #parentalcontrols #socialmedia #internetfilter #smartphone #gracieabrams

Some apps that claim to be safe for kids are anything but! This is your sign to check what platforms your kids are spending time on and make sure they’re *actually* age-appropriate. https://lnkd.in/eT3c4b64 #Parenting #OnlineSafety #ChildSafety

?? Is your family spending too much time on screens?? A new study from Reviews.org shows the average American spends about 5 hours daily on their phone. That’s a shocking 76 days each year spent looking at screens! https://bit.ly/413eyDK ??More Eye-opening stats: ??Americans check their phones 205 times per day—a 42% jump from last year. ??43% consider themselves “addicted” to their phones. ??80.6% check their phones within 10 minutes of waking up. With screen time soaring, it’s more important than ever to set healthy boundaries for your family. ?? FREE Video Series: "Great Tool, Horrible Master" https://bit.ly/3QULz0l Learn from Dr. Justin Rowberry, a developmental pediatrician, about how to curb digital overuse. This expert-led series covers: ??How screen time impacts mood, sleep, and behavior. ??Practical tips to set and model healthy screen boundaries. ??Strategies to reclaim family time and reduce dependency. ?? More resources to take action now: 5 Easy Tricks to Manage Screen Time—Simple tips for happier, healthier family dynamics. https://bit.ly/3R2vnYE 5 Essential Screen Time Lessons—Teach your kids why boundaries are critical. https://bit.ly/3Q0XqtJ 4 Tested Systems to Limit Screen Time—Proven methods for families to regain control. https://bit.ly/4fWOjE4 #defendyoungminds #screentime #socialmedia #digitaloveruse #digitalwellness #parentalcontrols #onlinesafety #onlinedangers #digitaldangers #cellphone #smartphone

Love Kills Porn ?? You’ve heard that porn kills love—but did you know the opposite is also true? Love kills porn. ?? Porn destroys trust, warps expectations, and steals real connection. ?? But love fights back. What if LOVE could: ?? Stop kids from ever getting hooked? ?? Help those struggling break free? ?? Protect marriages before they even begin? As parents, we have the power to teach this truth. Talking openly about real love and connection can help kids make safer choices before porn ever gets a chance to take hold. Read more in our new article: '4 Powerful Ways Love Kills Porn—And Why Every Kid Needs to Know' https://bit.ly/4gy47NX #defendyoungminds #protectyoungminds #onlinesafety #digitalsafety #digitaldangers #screentime #parentalcontrols #socialmedia #valentinesday #valentines #pornkillslove?

?? Today is Safer Internet Day—a perfect reminder that kids need skills to navigate the digital world safely! The internet wasn't built with kids in mind, and we can’t afford to wait for laws and policies to catch up. With the right tools, your child can learn to recognize online risks and respond wisely. ?? Enter "Good Pictures Bad Pictures"—a must-have children's book series for teaching internet safety. https://lnkd.in/gKpPWSbH One parent, Grace, shared: ??? “Thanks to this book, my child saw a suspicious ad and knew not to click on it. Instead, my child came to me to tell me about the concerning image so we could discuss the problem as a family.” Empower your kids with a plan for staying safe online. ?? ?? PRO TIP: Start early! Our Jr. book helps even the youngest kids (ages 3-6) develop their internal filter. With its gentle, age-appropriate approach, it teaches kids how to Turn, Run & Tell and introduces 5 essential online safety rules. #defendyoungminds #saferinternetday #digitaldangers #digitalsafety #goodpicturesbadpictures