Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes

Sex Trafficking: The Invisible Population - Male Victims

In this episode, Donna Rice Hughes discusses the issue of male victims of sex trafficking with her guest, Jerome Elam, president and CEO of the Trafficking in America Task Force. Jerome shares his hispersonal story as a survivor of child abuse, sex trafficking, and child pornography. The episode touches on several issues, including the significant role the internet plays in trafficking, the tactics traffickers use to maintain control, and the importance of recognizing signs of trafficking in various settings such as schools and public spaces.

They also discuss significant pieces of legislation aimed at combating child abuse and exploitation, including the Take It Down Act, the App Store Accountability Act, and age verification laws, while emphasizing the need for parents to be vigilant with their children’s internet usage.

TikTok Choking Challenge: Matthew Minor’s Tragic Story and His Dad’s Fight for Change

In this episode, Donna speaks with Todd Minor, the father of Matthew Minor, a 12-year-old who tragically lost his life to the TikTok Choking Challenge. Dive into the critical conversation about the hidden dangers of social media, the importance of parental involvement  and the advocacy efforts to protect children online. 

Protecting Children: Combating Online and Offline Exploitation

In this episode of Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes, Donna is joined by Fr. Bill George to discuss the alarming issues of child sexual abuse and exploitation both online and offline. Fr. George, senior advisor to the president of the Gregorian University Foundation, shares his extensive experience working with children, parents, and institutions to protect children in the digital world. They delve into topics like the dangers of online pornography, and the critical role of education and parental involvement.

From Being Groomed to Healing: Harrison's Journey Toward Digital Intentionalism

In today's episode of "Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes," Donna is joined by Harrison Haynes who shares his personal story of being groomed while playing video games online and his journey toward healing and digital intentionalism. They discuss big tech’s inability to protect children online and stress what parents need to know to protect them from harm.

Preventing Online Crimes Against Kids: A Law Enforcement Perspective

In this episode of Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes, Donna speaks with Special Agent Courtney Goode about the grim reality of online crimes against children. They discuss law enforcement's role in combating sexual predators, traffickers, pornographers, and sextortionists who target children, and how to report suspicious activity. 

Their conversation underscores the need for parental involvement, early prevention, and offers practical tips on monitoring online behavior, establishing rules, and fostering open communication between parents and children.

AI, Online Child Exploitation, Prosecution & Prevention

In this episode of Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes, Donna is joined by John Pizzuro, co-founder and CEO of Raven, and former commander of the New Jersey ICAC Task Force. They discuss the legislative challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in online child exploitation, Raven’s mission to bridge gaps between legislation and law enforcement, the complexities of end-to-end encryption, and the implications of AI in generating child sexual abuse material (CSAM), as well as the urgent need for updated technology.

Big Tech Accountability and The Dirty Dozen List

Donna is joined by Lina Nealon, Vice President and Director of Corporate Advocacy for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. They discuss Big Tech’s role in facilitating sexual exploitation and break down NCOSE’s “Dirty Dozen” campaign which calls out platforms like Snapchat, Spotify and Roblox for their inadequate safety measures to protect kids and teens. They also examine key legislative efforts, highlighting bipartisan support for reform to hold tech companies accountable.

Digital Addictions: Safeguarding Young Minds in the Age of Online Sexual Exploitation

In this episode, Donna is joined by mental health expert Rens de Koning to discuss the issue of digital addiction and its impact on young minds, particularly in the context of online sexual exploitation. They explore the alarming statistics regarding children's access to pornography, the evolution of explicit content, and the role of social media in shaping mental health. Their discussion emphasizes the importance of open communication between parents and children, the need for prevention strategies, and tips for recognizing the signs of addiction. 

Michael Reagan's Story: Child Survivor to Safety Advocate

Donna is joined by Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman. The discussion centers around his personal experiences with childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted family friend and the lasting impact it has had on him. He shares about ongoing fear and shame that accompanied the abuse due to blackmail with images. He emphasizes the importance of parents listening to their children and recognizing warning signs, while also advocating for legislative reform to protect children in the digital age. Hear about the alarming increase in online child exploitation and the importance of public awareness and legislation to combat this issue. The episode is a call to action for parents, lawmakers, and society to protect children from both physical and online abuse.

How to Protect Kids in a Sexually Toxic Pornified Culture

Donna is joined by guest Gene McConnell, founder of Authentic Relationships International. They delve into the impact of early exposure to pornography on children and share personal stories. They highlight the connection between shame and broken relationships and stress the importance of open communication between parents and kids, in addition to using technology tools like filtering, monitoring, and time-limiting software to protect children online.