The United States faces a serious problem with online predators, especially those targeting children. This growing threat has created a need for vigilant individuals to step up: Ryan M. Montgomery.
If his name doesn’t ring a bell, it should. Montgomery has dedicated his life to protecting the most vulnerable among us – children – from the dangers lurking in cyberspace. In a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions, Montgomery has stood as a guardian, taking down some of the most evil actors imaginable, saving countless children in the process.
“What we often hear from victims is that they were too scared to tell their parents because they didn’t want to lose access to their devices.”
The word hero is overused, but it fits perfectly with those who literally sacrifice their lives to save others. Montgomery’s journey into this dark underworld began with a very traumatic event. “I joined the fight against human trafficking and violence against children through a very traumatic event,” he recalls.
When a friend’s wife sent him screenshots of a vile website where people openly shared their lewd fantasies, Montgomery was outraged and disgusted, and decided to take action. “The content was so vicious that it created an incredible level of anger that made me want to take action on this website and dedicate myself to protecting others,” he explains.
One of the most disturbing aspects of Montgomery’s research is the evolution of the methods used by sexual abusers. Initially, sexual abusers used text-based chat rooms to lure children, but things have changed a lot, “especially with the rise of online gaming, social media, video chat rooms, and even educational apps,” Montgomery notes. Sexual abusers now use these platforms to manipulate children into revealing personal information and compromising photos, a technique known as sextortion.
The methods these predators use range from the relatively simple to the incredibly sophisticated. In grooming, for example, a predator will build a seemingly harmless friendship with a child and then gradually bring up inappropriate topics.
Catfishing, or the creation of false identities, is also a common tactic. “Criminals create false identities online, sometimes called ‘sockpuppet accounts’ or ‘catfish accounts,’ so that kids believe they’re talking to someone they’re not,” Montgomery explains. Cyberstalking and sex toting add further complexity and danger.
More advanced techniques include deepfake technology and location spoofing. “AI-generated child pornography has become very realistic in the last 12 months,” Montgomery warned. Criminals use real photos of children taken from social media and alter them to create explicit images.
Location spoofing allows criminals to fake their location and trick children into believing they are nearby or in a trusted area. The dark web also plays a key role in distributing and viewing illegal content, with criminals using services such as Tor to maintain their anonymity.
It’s important to realize that not all apps are created equal, and some pose stronger dangers than others.
Snapchat, with its disappearing messages and location-sharing features, is popular among the sexually-adult crowd, while Discord, originally designed for gamers, has become a grooming hotspot.
Montgomery has a particular ire for Kik, an app notorious for its lack of moderation. “I think the app should be taken off the internet,” he said.
For the uninitiated, Kik is an app that allows users to send text messages, photos, videos, and other content. It is used by 15 million people around the world every month. Half of these people Kids in the US love Kik because it’s easy to use, they can chat with friends instantly, and they don’t need a phone number, just a username, which is appealing for people who want to keep their conversations private. This is both a good and bad thing.
Kik is particularly dangerous for a few reasons. First, the app allows users to be anonymous: users can create an account with just a username, making it easy for malicious users to hide their true identity and pretend to be someone they are not.
Additionally, Kik has a history of weak oversight, allowing inappropriate and harmful content to spread without being caught quickly. The app also features public and private chat rooms that allow strangers to easily connect with children, increasing the risk of encountering bad actors. Messages and content can be exchanged without phone numbers, making it difficult for parents to monitor who their children are talking to.
So how can parents protect their kids in this digital age? Montgomery stresses that awareness starts at home. “Parents can do their best to keep their kids safe through open communication,” he advises. “What we often hear from victims is that they were afraid to tell their parents because they didn’t want to lose access to their devices.”
In the modern era, Montgomery recommends a compromise: maintaining access to devices while still monitoring activity.
Utilizing parental control software is important. These tools allow parents to restrict and monitor applications and websites, as well as alert them if their child is being seduced, bullied, or discussing self-harm. “Just being aware of what’s out there on the internet in the first place greatly reduces cases of exploitation,” Montgomery stresses.
There are several effective parental control software options available to help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activity. Below are just a few examples:
- Net Nanny: The software offers comprehensive monitoring and filtering tools that allow you to block inappropriate content, manage screen time, monitor social media usage, and also provides real-time alerts and reports on your kids’ online activities.
- CustodioQustodio offers features like content filtering, app blocking, and screen time management, and also includes a detailed dashboard that shows you the time your child spends on different apps and websites, as well as insights into their online behavior.
- bark: Bark monitors texts, emails, and social media accounts for signs of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and other risks. It alerts parents to potential problems and gives them tools to help manage and limit screen time.
- Kaspersky Safe Kids: The software allows parents to manage app usage, set screen time limits and monitor online activity. It also includes the ability to track your child’s location and monitor their social media activity.
Montgomery advises that parents should also stay informed about new social media platforms and apps their children may be using, and be prepared to call the police if necessary: ”They should know how to properly report any suspicious or predatory activity to the appropriate authorities.”
