Parenting in a Tech World

Bark's 2025 Annual Report analyzed a record 11.1 billion online activities—and the findings reveal a troubling paradox. While predator alerts in monitored spaces dropped 60%, national sextortion cases are surging. The danger hasn't disappeared; it's just moved where parents can't see it. We break down the biggest risks facing kids today, from the 650% spike in disordered eating content among tweens to why predators are migrating to shadow spaces—and what parents can do about it.

Check our Bark's 2025 Annual Report: https://www.bark.us/annual-report-2025/

Dr. Jean Twenge, psychologist and author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, has spent decades studying how technology is reshaping childhood. Her research provided some of the earliest evidence linking smartphones and social media to rising rates of teen depression and anxiety. She shares the 'aha' moments from her work, what the data really shows about teens and tech, and the rules every parent should follow in a high-tech world.

Visit Dr. Twenge's website to find her books, discover her research, learn about speaking engagements, and more.

Don't forget to join the conversations happening in our Facebook group, Parenting in a Tech World!

Melissa McKay, president of the Digital Childhood Institute, made headlines when her viral post forced Google to reverse its policy of emailing kids instructions to remove parental controls at age 13. She shares the story behind that win, why Roblox is doing the same thing, and what parents need to know about protecting their kids when tech companies prioritize profit over safety.

Learn more about the Digital Childhood Institute and connect with Melissa.

Don't forget to check out Melissa's viral posts about Google and Roblox!

Selma Blair gets candid about parenting her 14-year-old son in an always-connected world. She shares how she's navigated tech and social media as both a public figure and a mom, the conversations she's had about online safety, and her advice for parents trying to find balance in a digital age.

Paul Raffile is a cybercrime expert and online safety advocate who's been on the front lines of catching sextortion scammers and exposing platform failures. He shares what parents need to know about sextortion, which apps pose the biggest risks, and the shocking reality of what social media companies allow to happen on their platforms.

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn!

Resources, stories, and other things mentioned in this episode:
Paul's experience with Meta
The UK Documentary
The Yahoo Boys
Meta's "Teen Nudity Controls"
The story of Jordan Demay and sextortion
The Take it Down Act
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)