Parenting in the digital age is complicated—messy, emotionally intense, often uncertain, and more than ever, essential. In an eye-opening episode of the Screen Guardians podcast, host Katie speaks with her long-time friend, businesswoman, and devoted mother Jenny Taylor, who shares a deeply personal, challenging, and ultimately redemptive story about her family’s experience with tween cyberbullying.

This isn’t just a cautionary tale; it’s a call to action. One that challenges all caregivers to stay informed, stay present, and stay connected as they raise kids in today’s tech-driven world.

In a world that's increasingly dominated by screens, social media, and digital distractions, our children are growing up facing challenges that didn’t exist just a generation ago. At the Kids Digital Health Hub, we're committed to helping families understand these challenges — and most importantly — how to protect and support children as they grow up in a digital world.

In a recent episode of the Screen Guardians podcast, host Katie sat down with Kat Kaplan, a school counselor working primarily with fifth through eighth-grade students, to dig deep into the effects of digital exposure on children’s mental health.

Here’s what we learned from Kat — someone who is truly on the front lines of this growing issue.

Pornography and sex trafficking have a deeper link than many parents realize. With children encountering pornography as early as 10 years old, their vulnerability to online grooming and exploitation increases. This episode will uncover why parents need to be vigilant about internet safety for kids and practical steps you can take today.

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In today’s hyper-connected world, children have access to the internet at their fingertips—but with this access comes invisible risks that many parents are unprepared for. One of the most alarming issues in our digital age is the link between pornography and sex trafficking. It’s a connection that isn’t just surprising but deeply troubling.

Did you know the average age of first exposure to pornography is just 12 years old? Or that predators and sex traffickers actively exploit this exposure to groom and manipulate children? While pornography might be portrayed as “harmless entertainment,” behind the scenes, it fuels an insidious cycle of exploitation and trafficking—one that impacts women, children, and even entire communities.

For parents, the question isn’t if your child will encounter explicit content online, but when. And as alarming as this may sound, there are concrete ways to prevent these dangers and empower your family.

This episode exposes the often-overlooked connection between pornography and trafficking. We’ll discuss how predators use digital platforms to exploit vulnerabilities, how early exposure to explicit content warps kids’ understanding of relationships, and—most importantly—how you can protect your children in an increasingly digital world. Let’s educate ourselves, stay vigilant, and take action together.