Overcoming Online Dangers

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Throughout history, Americans and many other civilizations have sought to protect their children from harm. Jesus Himself once said that if anyone causes children to stumble, it “would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

But in 2026, those cherished priorities seem to have shifted. Not only do some in society overlook unknown evils.

According to research by Common Sense Media, “half of children in the U.S. own a smartphone” by age 11. Unfortunately, many may not realize that the content on that smartphone or any other internet-enabled device can harm young minds and hearts.

Some of the dangerous effects from these devices and the sites accessible on them include potential cyberbullying, early exposure to pornography and violence, and the rise of mental health problems, making internet safety a crucial part of navigating internet use.

Even so, it can be difficult for many parents and guardians to believe that these unlikely dangers could impact the children in their lives … until they do.

In the first six months of 2025, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported that “[O]nline enticement reports to our CyberTipline jumped from 292,951 last year to 518,720 this year. Reports of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) related to child sexual exploitation soared from 6,835 reports to 440,419.”

Meanwhile, in the same time frame, NCMEC shared that “Reports of financial sextortion, still a relatively new type of online crime, are also continuing to spike – from 13,842 in the first six months last year compared to 23,593 this year.”

But what are some of these dangers? And how can artificial intelligence (AI) harm American children?

The first step in protecting minors threatened by these online dangers is recognizing the problem. Below, you’ll find more information about two types of online threats, some actions to take, and other resources to help keep minors in your life safe as they navigate the digital world.

Sextortion

Sextortion happens when a perpetrator contacts a minor on an online platform pretending to be someone close to the child’s age and uses “revealing images” to blackmail them. According to the FBI, sometimes the criminal will convince the child that they already have these images of the victim before connecting online.

Most of the time, however, these criminals deceive the minor they are chatting with into believing that they are interested in a romantic relationship. Following this, conversations usually involve sharing sexual images or mature discussions, which are then used for blackmail.

In financial sextortion, a growing crime, groomers use the explicit images they obtain to threaten the victim for money. If payment is not made, they threaten to share the compromising photos with loved ones, on social media, or elsewhere.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Another common online danger for children is AI. With all the advances in technology, it's no surprise that anyone can use AI to target and harm kids. One specific example of this dangerous use of AI is deepfakes.

Random individuals, including other children, can create these shocking images. They occur when someone takes an otherwise ordinary photo (like one from a vacation or even a family event) and alters it to depict nudity, causing innocent children or teens to appear as if they are doing something scandalous.

In a 2025 Thorn report, research revealed that “Forty-one percent of young people surveyed indicated they had heard the term 'deepfake nudes,' including 1 in 3 (31%) teens. Additionally, among teens, 1 in 10 (10%) reported personally knowing someone who had deepfake nude imagery created of them, and 1 in 17 (6%) disclosed having been a direct victim of this form of abuse.”

Deepfakes can take a simple picture shared online and use it in horrific, life-altering ways.

The solution

These are just two examples of the online dangers children may face that are rarely discussed. But how can parents, adults, and Christians better protect those affected by these and other online threats?

Here are a few suggestions:

Supervise all devices used by minors. If a device has internet access, minors might connect and chat with others on gaming systems, social media sites, text messaging, or other apps. This capability can expose minors to unsafe conversations.
Stay informed about current events in the world. When you come across stories mentioning these types of crimes, take a moment to pray for the victims, but also remember that it could happen to anyone. Understanding the various online dangers helps you talk to the children in your life and teach them how to handle such situations if they, or someone they know, becomes a victim.
Have honest conversations. When minors feel at ease talking to trusted adults and guardians, it can encourage them to share what they might have seen or experienced online.
Wait. The best choice for cell phones might be less common. Just because someone in your child’s class has a smartphone doesn’t mean they need to have one. Hold off a little longer if it doesn’t seem like the right time for a child to have a phone. Safety is the top priority!
Explore other options. Often, and understandably, parents and caregivers want the ability to contact their children in emergencies. It's important to remember that phones used solely for calling are still available. Consider a flip phone or other call-only devices. They may not be the trendiest choice, but they could add an extra layer of protection.
As a parent or loved one, be careful about how you share children online. If possible, avoid sharing photos and personal details. Once information is posted, it can be used by criminals in harmful ways. Similarly, deepfakes can be made from any image – even those posted on your page.

Just like Jesus, we should care about the safety and protection of His children, and protecting them from online dangers is a great place to start.

For more information concerning this issue, visit Shared Hope International, ScreenStrong, NCMEC, or Eight Days of Hope. Although these sites are not all faith-based, they offer valuable resources for helping protect children in a digital world. Another great resource is American Family Radio’s own Dr. Jessica Peck, also known as Dr. Nurse Mama. Many of her articles can be found here.

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