Protect Kids Online

Wisconsin ICAC Commander Jesse Crowe joins the program to discuss the growing threat of online sextortion and how it impacts our children 

An overview of the Wisconsin and National ICAC Task Forces with Wisconsin ICAC Commander Jesse Crowe #ICAC #DOJ #KeepingChildrenSafe

Join Ryan and Kagan as they delve into the realm of targeted advertisements. The two discuss how these types of ads can affect the wellness of children through their use of apps and online services. Check out Common Sense Media for guides on how to prepare your family for staying away from these!

Join Ryan and Kagan as they discuss Safer Internet Day which took place on February 6th. This international campaign raises awareness about various internet safety issues and encourages everyone to come together and play their part in improving the internet. The global theme this year for Safer Internet Day 2024 was Together for a Better Internet, and the ICAC focus this year was Parenting Tips for Online Safety! #StartTheConversation

Join Ryan and Kagan as they discuss the booming video game Palworld and discuss considerations for online gaming. Explore the influence of YouTubers and Twitch streamers on kids, learn about internet safety in games like Palworld, and discover how to set effective safety plans and controls.

Join Ryan and Kagan as they delve into the world of Discord and internet safety. Discover essential tips for protecting privacy, navigating safely, and fostering positive communities online. The two speak on the importance of staying vigilant in digital spaces and some options to consider to use Discord safely!

Join Kagan in the PKO Podcast as we explore practical tips for managing privacy, ensuring age-appropriate content, and involving kids in their own digital safety journey. With the holiday season quickly approaching there are many ways to prepare a safe digital journey! The PKO team mentions esrb.org and commonsense.org as great tools to prepare before gifting new electronic devices and games into your families' lives.

Join Ryan and Kagan as they meet with two new members to the ICAC Task Force from ICAC Investigation School. The two podcasts hosts speak to the importance and value in education and investigative expertise with some opportunity to glean insight from those who protect in our local communities. Here's a glimpse into the perspectives of those who are dedicated to the safeguarding of Wisconsin's children! 

Join Ryan and Kagan as they discuss some challenges and tips as we return to the school year! As the boundary between home and school blurs with the increasing access to devices, the two attempt to shed light on ensuring digital safety. Discover valuable insights on safeguarding settings, fostering open dialogue, and navigating potential pitfalls as we march ahead into the academic year. Don't miss out!

The PKO podcast hosts are joined by guest Corey Passer, one of our Office of School Safety managers, with the Speak Up Speak Out (SUSO) program! Corey, Ryan, and Kagan discuss the SUSO program and what it entails. Join us as we dive into this useful tip-line which you can find here!

Join Kagan and Ryan as they discuss the hot topic that is Artificial Intelligence (AI). By exploring the world of AI, with a lens on child safety, the episode considers pros, cons, and the crucial role of education in ensuring online safety as this new technology rises in today's society.

Join Ryan and Kagan as they delve into the world of streaming platforms, highlighting the pros, cons, and potential risks for children. They discuss popular platforms like Twitch, YouTube Live, and more,  emphasizing parental controls, age-appropriate content, and ways to engage in meaningful conversations with children about their online activity. Tune in to learn about modern tech-savviness, cyber education, and positive screen time habits.

Join Ryan and Kagan as they cover the app Wizz. The two discuss this growing app that has caught the attention of high schoolers. Similar to Yubo, and other meet up apps, Wizz allows users to post short videos and photos of themselves to start conversations. As Ryan and Kagan discuss how Wizz shares similarities to dating apps, see if this is right for your children!

Join Ryan & Kagan as they return to discuss YouTube and YouTube Kids! There are many options to help with account setup. YouTube has provided their own guidelines for parents and Common Sense Media hosts internet safety handouts on safety considerations as well. These materials cover account setup and safety preferences, however feel free to reach out if you have additional questions! 

Join Kagan as he meets with Special Agent Ryan as they review a study published by Thorn! The two review the data published from the study, which can be found here, and when it is appropriate to begin internet safety discussions!

Join Kagan as he discusses the newly published Take It Down tool created and facilitated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)! This service is another step an individual can take to help get sexually explicit photos or videos removed from online platforms. Please find this new and useful resource below:https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/

Safer Interest Day is coming up on February 7th, 2023! Join Ryan and Kagan as they discuss this year's focus and some continued updates on Sextortion seen across the United States. We highly recommend following #SaferInternetDay for advice and tips on a safer internet! Please see the following resources mentioned in this episode:Safer Internet Day: https://saferinternetday.us/get-involved/Thorn: https://www.stopsextortion.com/

Join Kagan as he discusses new device setup and privacy setting considerations as new devices may have joined the household during the holiday season!  Device settings are crucial to review both with the device itself and with the various game and social media apps we download. To ensure to information is unintentionally shared, privacy setting adjustments should be made as a family. Please visit internetmatters.org/parental-controls to see a comprehensive guide on safety setting considerations! 

Join Ryan and Kagan as they discuss the 40th annual National Missing Children's Day and its poster contest! The National Missing Children's Day Poster Contest is a nationwide contest designed to promote awareness among teachers, parents/guardians and children and engage them in discussions about safety. Please consider speaking with your local school district to learn more about spreading this awareness. Further information for this contest for 5th graders can be found here: https://www.missingpersons.doj.wi.gov/

Join Dana on her final episode with the PKO podcast as a member of the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force. Dana harkens back to the core elements of internet safety identified over the years that should be kept in the limelight as we pursue internet safety for our children. The Wisconsin ICAC Task Force is grateful for Dana's service and drive to help keep the children of Wisconsin safe, our team will strive to emulate the good works she has brought over the years here!

Join Dana and Jess as they discuss oversharing when using social media, apps, and games. The two cover considerations on how to emulate good information security practices and what to do when oversharing might occur. The team acknowledges the value of important moments and the desire to share those with friends and family through the lens of internet safety! 

Join Dana for our 150th episode while she covers Snapchat parental controls and some options to help keep our kiddos safe. She discusses the history of Snapchat and the changing use of it since its creation. Take a dive into the app design, safety settings, and balance options you can take to help prevent potential concerning features while using the app!

Recent inquiries have been brought up about watch parties and summertime activities for youth. Watching videos online has taken over the #1 online activity for teens and tweens historically! Along with this comes apps that provide options for watch parties to view the shows, movies, and videos together. Users can share video and chat to connect while watching together from a distance. This episode covers the ways this could be a good option to connect right now, along with the possible risks, and how to start those safety discussions and get more information.

June is Internet Safety Month! Join Dana as she highlights the number one way to improve online safety measures with your kiddos. With online and offline lines blurring nowadays the need for open communication surrounding digital use is crucial. Find more information on how to start the conversation through #starttheconversation with the National ICAC Task Force. 

Join Dana as she introduces Katie and Leeana to the PKO Podcast. Katie and Leeana are the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force's victim services specialists who provide victim support throughout the state. The three discuss sexual assault awareness month, victim services in the ICAC world, and more! 

Join Dana as she reviews the new and upcoming app BeReal! This unique app sends a notification everyday at a random time, notifying users and their friends simultaneously. The user then shares a photo of themselves and what they are up to at that time of day. Dana reviews the potential positives and negatives of the app compared to other apps out there. As always feel free to reach out with any ideas or questions on internet safety!

Join Dana and Kagan as they discuss dating and social meeting apps and the use by children seen the last few years. The two return to a brief overview of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTip program before speaking on the main topic for this episode. Dating and social meet up apps are becoming trendier for teens and young children to this day. Dana and Kagan cover the reasons, ramifications, and routes to prepare for discussion options for parents and their kids!

Join Dana and Jess as they discuss the recent Safer Internet Day rollout and the focus on Blackmail/Sextortion. The two highlight the growing trends that affect the lives of children more often than most parents realize. Thankfully there are resources to not only help support your children but respond when this illicit act occurs!

In this episode of the PKO podcast we are joined by Joe Miller with WashingTECH. Join Dana and Joe as they discuss a wide array of topics from the current discussions held today in federal government to device and internet safety talks we can have with our children. Not only do the two cover a veritable amount of resources on internet safety but the two cover the upcoming highlight for Safer Internet Day! https://www.techpolicypodcast.org/safetycheck/ 

This week we are delighted to introduce Jess and Kagan, our two Wisconsin ICAC analysts, as they join Dana in a discussion on technology during the holidays. By considering this year's CyberTip trends and the nearing holiday season, the three review the possible coming changes and safety considerations as new technology is introduced in the household!

Join Dana and Jeff as they review the rising app Playbyte. The two discover that the aim of Playbyte is to act as a TikTok for videogames. Users can develop their own games or try out other people's creations, while also leading to similar mini-games personalized for the user. By exploring some of the potential risks the PKO team discusses the positives and negatives of the app!

Join Dana and special guest Caroline, from the Illinois Attorney General's Office ICAC team, as they discuss technology use within the house. The two review the various ramifications of tech use by young children and how parents can set a good example on internet use. From there the podcast team discusses the various content and experiences toddlers appear to be having in this growing digital age!

Join Dana and special guest Chris, from the Illinois Attorney General's Office, as they discuss the return of popular anonymous app YikYak! After a brief hiatus from the major social media scene it seemed important for the podcast team to return for a review on the app's recent resurgence. While the app was originally developed with the intent for college aged users, it has shown up in the hands of younger crowds such as middle and high schoolers. The two discuss the app's features, worries about its use in Cyber Bullying, and more!

Join Dana and Matt as they share some important updates for the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force and the PKO Podcast. This episodes covers the importance of digital and technological education while looking back at their experience with the evolution of technology. The PKO Podcast will be taking a short hiatus until the school year commences in the fall. 

Join Dana and Jeff as they discuss new and old social media challenges. Over the years various challenges have popped up across social media websites influencing children and adults alike. The two discuss the various ramifications on one's physical and mental well -being when attempting these challenges and posting them on the internet. 

Join Dana and Jeff this week as they discuss YouTube Kids! With the intent to both educate and empower youth today, there is hope that when our children come across harmful material they feel comfortable reaching out to a trusted adult. The two discuss this growing alternative that aims to provide youth oriented videos, newer safety settings, and parental controls.

This week we return to times of yore where Dana & Carl reviewed Discord and Twitch, and prove that neither one of them are regular online gamers.  They also prove very quickly how easy it is to spend a lot of time watching other gamers live stream their play.  It is very easy to lose track of time. With the continual rise in popularity of Twitch streamers and their personal servers on discord for followers, it is important to understand how the apps work!

Join the PKO Podcast team as they dive back into the popular and growing game Roblox. With its recent movement to the public sphere and access to the game across just about any device and platform there is a need to know more! Players can interact on a multitude of servers where they can create new worlds or engage in obstacles, horror themed games, shooters, and more. While there are good options in the privacy settings, sometimes the content and chat filter doesn't work as effectively as desired. Join Dana and Jeff as they discuss the app's opportunities, qualities, and safety options!

We harken back to times when Carl & Dana discuss the early publication of the app YOLO. Not only did the app become quite popular upon release but has seen continual use since its arrival to app-stores. YOLO is a Snapchat add-on that has been off the charts popular since its release.  It's an anonymous Q&A app that allows you to ask questions of your friends and followers on Facebook.  Dana and Carl talk about how it works, things to be aware of, and ways to start the discussions with your kids about safety when it comes to anonymity online.

On this episode, PKO is fortunate to connect with Inspector Ibrahim Ozdemir with the Turkish National Police! They discuss the importance of collaborating on online exploitation crimes, similarities and differences in trends, challenges faced, and exciting new safety initiatives, including Turkey's Siberay! Join us for this episode, as we all work together for a better internet.

In this episode, PKO chats about an online game that is made to spook and scare the user throughout. Listen in to learn about this one, ideas for discussion starters with your kids, and ways to help them realize it might be TOO scary for them.

How are you and your families doing with screen-time management? Join PKO this week to check in about virtual burnout, signs and symptoms, and ideas to help reduce the impact of increased screen time on adults and kids alike! CDC recommendations for coping with stress and keeping mental health in mind are also discussed.

PKO revisits the site Omegle as an update from Episode 75. ICAC has been seeing some higher levels of use of the site again. Kids are curious and might be interested in the anonymous chat site to meet new people, but there are risks to be aware of with anonymous apps, live streaming, and chatting with strangers. Know what they are doing online, and teach them how to respond and report if something inappropriate happens!

This episode features Susan Kennedy, Prevention Manager with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Into the Cloud Season 2 has released, which is a great way to introduce the topic of online safety to young children with the use of cartoon episodes and talking points. Looking for resources for older children and teens? They have those, too! Tune in to hear about some free resources from NCMEC, as well as some adaptations on the current resources!

Check out this episode to hear exciting news from Common Sense on the upcoming launch of their new Sensical platform! It's a free streaming service to provide reviewed, age-appropriate content for children 2-12. We can't wait! This episode also talks about the popular favorite for videos, YouTube, and discusses current child safety policies that are in place as well as where to find more information.

This episode provides some great stats and information from Wisconsin ICAC work throughout 2020 (Thank you for all the PKO episode listens & downloads, and for sharing the information)! PKO also provides some exciting safety information and announcements for the start of 2021. Please listen in, share the information out, and above all - stay safe!

In this episode, join PKO to chat about the importance of learning capabilities of new devices and paying attention to both device and account settings. In fact, if you have new devices (or apps or games) in the home, this is a perfect time to take a look at those settings with your child. Not only will it provide a great opportunity for discussion about expectations and safety information, it will also show them a great example of the safe way to set up new tech!

Wink is an add-on app for Snapchat that allows you to communicate with new users based on both users agreeing to connect. As always when connecting with strangers online, there are safety concerns to be aware of with this. Join us on this episode to hear more about how Wink works, discussion points for families, and resources to find more information if you need to learn more about apps or games.

Join us for this special one-hour episode where ICAC is guests of David Niven and the Social World Podcast! David has over 35 years of national and international experience in the field of social welfare, and is recognized as an independent expert on matters of child protection and parenting. He hosts the Social World Podcast, discussing information on social work and social care, and also works with a company called Ineqe to put out great online safety resources. Listen as we chat about ICAC history, technology challenges, ideas for more widespread collaboration, and more!

Your children (or you) may be playing this popular game where you work with crewmates in space to try to identify the hostile imposter on the crew. Listen to an overview of the game, things to consider discussing with your children that are interested in or already playing the game, and malware concerns to be aware of if you aren't downloading it from the official app store.

This episode discusses catfishing, sadfishing, and different child safety perspectives to be aware of within these types of incidents. Information is also shared from Northwestern University on teens, tech use, and healthy boundaries.