Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes

In this timely episode, Donna is joined by child online safety expert Rick Lane to unpack what could be a turning point in holding Big Tech accountable for harming children online. From Meta’s historic multibillion-dollar settlement to major legal actions involving TikTok, YouTube, Snap and Roblox, they explore why this may be Big Tech’s “Big Tobacco” moment. 

Donna and Rick also discuss growing concerns around TikTok and AI chatbots, the push for stronger age verification and safety-by-default protections, and critical child online safety legislation gaining momentum in Congress. With powerful forces pushing back, they explain what’s at stake—and why this moment could bring meaningful change for our children.

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In this powerful episode, Donna is joined by sex trafficking survivor-turned-advocate Tanya Gould for a deeply personal and eye-opening conversation. From being trafficked as a young woman to becoming a national leader in anti-exploitation efforts, Tanya shares how grooming, trauma, and manipulation trap victims—and what finally set her free. The episode also breaks down major legal victories holding Big Tech accountable for harming children, exposing how online platforms can fuel exploitation. Together, they unpack the realities of trafficking, the role of technology, and—most importantly—what parents and communities can do to protect kids before it’s too late.

Learn More! Our Quick Guides contain valuable information including warning signs, red flags and conversation starters for many internet safety related topics. Click to access and download: https://internetsafety101.org/quickguides/

In this episode of 'Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes,' Donna is joined by Mary Graw Leary, a professor of law at the Catholic University Columbus School of Law, and Haley McNamara, Executive Director and Chief Strategy Officer at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. They delve into the critical issues surrounding child online exploitation, the role of government and big tech regulation, and the implications of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. They discuss current legislative efforts, growing threats posed by AI and offer practical steps that parents and lawmakers can take to ensure a safer digital environment for children.

In this episode, host Donna Rice Hughes talks with internet safety expert Rick Lane and retired ICAC commander John Pizzuro about how AI, chatbots, and online gangs are putting kids in danger. They explain how AI “digital companions” can mirror a child’s emotions, build unhealthy attachments, and even coach vulnerable teens toward self-harm, while online gangs like “764” use AI, deepfakes, and social media to groom and extort children. 

Our guests explain why AI is so hard to detect, how predators no longer need to be tech-savvy, and why strong safety-by-design laws, age verification, and accountability for tech companies are urgently needed.

Donna and her guest, neurosurgeon, Dr. Donald L. Hilton, Jr. , discuss the impact of  pornography and screen addiction on brain development, particularly focusing on how early exposure can create lasting neural pathways and influence sexual attitudes and behavior. They explore the dangers of online pornography for children, including its effects on risky sexual behaviors and mental health, while discussing scientific studies, the role of government and the critical importance of active parental involvement to protect children from harmful online content.

In this episode of "Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes", Donna is joined by Ava Smithing, Advocacy Director at The Young People's Alliance to examine how social media algorithms expose kids and teens to harmful content. Ava reveals how algorithms on Pinterest and Instagram fueled her social media feeds—and ultimately her struggle with a devastating eating disorder.

She and Donna discuss AI chat bots and the tragic suicide of a young man influenced by an AI companion on ChatGPT, which his parents claim acted as a 'suicide coach.'  Ava highlights the need for open parent-child communication and warns of the unregulated dangers AI companions pose to youth.

In this episode of ‘Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes’, Donna is joined by the director of Grossman on Truth, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, U.S. Army (Ret.), to discuss the eye-opening effects of digital media on youth. The conversation highlights how video games, social media, and other digital activities are contributing to sleep deprivation, mental illness, and increased rates of suicide.  Dave shares insights from his extensive experience and research, and emphasizes the importance of managing children's screen time and ensuring adequate sleep.

In this episode of "Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes"-- In this episode of Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes, Joel Thayer, President of the Digital Progress Institute joins Donna to discuss recent legislative efforts to protect children online, enforcement of anti-pornography laws and the role of tech companies in safeguarding minors. Key topics include the App Store Accountability Act (passed in Texas on 5/28/25 after this podcast was recorded), the ongoing challenges with Big Tech's data monopolization, and efforts to limit minors' social media usage. 

In this episode, Donna Rice Hughes discusses concerns parents face when deciding the right time and method to introduce smartphones to their children. She is joined by Bill Brady, CEO of Troomi, a company that creates kid-safe phones promoting digital wellness. 

Bill shares his passion for helping families navigate technology safely, stemming from an early insight into the dehumanizing effects of uncontrolled tech use. The conversation highlights the key features of the Troomi phone, including advanced content filtering, app management, remote monitoring, and the safe listing of contacts.They emphasize the common pitfalls of traditional smartphones, the negative mental health impacts of social media use and the importance of parental control in the digital age. They also discuss broader movements like schools limiting smartphone use and the need for stronger age verification on social media platforms. Donna introduces the 'Smartphone Guide for Parents' from Enough is Enough, which provides a comparative analysis of various kid-safe phones including Troomi, Bark, and Gabb among others, helping parents make informed decisions.

In this episode of 'Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes,' Donna is joined by special guest Kristen Jenson, founder of Defend Young Minds and bestselling author of 'Good Pictures Bad Pictures.' Kristen and Donna share valuable insights on how to protect children from online pornography and other harmful digital content. The discussion covers the importance of educating children about Internet safety, teaching them to recognize and reject inappropriate content, and the effects of pornography on young minds.