Child Safety: Public Platforms Full of Private Predators?

Child Safety: Public Platforms Full of Private Predators?

Author: Gareth King July 28, 2025 Duration: 52:01

Many people - especially parents - feel that the internet has seriously compromised the safety, well-being, and even innocence of young people, by exposing them to risks that the offline world struggles to contain. But is that really the case?

To help us understand the reality, we’re joined by Brett Lee, a Cyber Safety Advocate, Author, and Founder of Internet Safe Education.

⁠⁠https://www.internetsafeeducation.com/

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow the show, let us know what else to look into at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or support us at ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishow⁠⁠⁠

We discuss the impact of the internet on child safety, exploring the evolution of online risks, the role of anonymity, and the importance of parental guidance.

We also look at the vulnerabilities of young minds and the need for legislation to protect children online, as well as the positive aspects of technology and the importance of community building in ensuring child safety in a digital world.

00:00 Introduction to Cyber Safety Education

03:08 The Evolution of Internet Dangers

05:56 The Nature of Online Predators

09:38 The Impact of Technology on Perception

11:52 Harmful Platform Features for Youth

14:29 Vulnerability of Young Users

17:07 Age Restrictions and Social Media

19:30 The Challenge of Cyberbullying

23:00 Anonymity and Its Dangers

25:53 The Role of Parents in Online Safety

26:37 The Role of Technology in Youth Creativity

27:55 Parental Guidance in Digital Spaces

29:45 Strategies for Safe Technology Use

31:37 Peer Pressure and Technology Access

33:25 Legislation and Community Norms

35:10 Positive Online Platforms for Youth

38:04 Navigating Social Media Risks

41:25 The Importance of Communication

45:41 Grassroots Efforts for Online Safety

48:07 Final Advice for Concerned Parents


It’s a question that nags at anyone who’s ever felt a pang of nostalgia or a wave of digital fatigue: are we better or worse off because of our constant connection? Hosted by Gareth King, Ruined By The Internet? digs into that uneasy feeling, moving beyond simple headlines to explore how our online world actively moulds society, culture, and the texture of daily life. This isn’t about reviewing apps or gadgets; it’s about treating the digital realm as the pervasive environment it has become. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leading thinkers and researchers from around the world, dissecting the real evidence behind our shared anxieties and hopes. You’ll hear nuanced discussions that ask whether the casualties we often blame on technology are inevitable, or if we’re simply misdiagnosing deeper societal shifts. This podcast provides a space for considered reflection, offering listeners a clearer lens through which to view their own place in a world that is, for better or worse, thoroughly wired.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

Ruined By The Internet? - Uncovering the human cost of our digital world
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