It's October, and there is more going on than Halloween! It's Internet Safety month and once again Dana checks in with Chad from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to see what exciting offerings DPI will have this year on their website! Remember Internet Safety should be observed more than just one month a year! If you have any questions or concerns let us know at protectkidsonlinewi.gov.

AI isn't just for sci-fi movies anymore! In Episode 63, Carl and Dana start conversing online with an AI Chatbot to see how the conversation progressed. It might seem intimidating, but the same rules apply: not oversharing, understanding that you don't know what's on the other side of the screen, and how to get out of conversations when things seem inappropriate or uncomfortable. Stay Safe!

With schools starting all over again, photo's will be uploading everywhere, and it's been a while since we've chatted about Instagram, as it continues to grow in popularity. Carl and Dana are joined in this episode by an avid user of Instagram to help explain some of the workings of the app to Carl, a beginner, and Dana, who is totally new to Instagram. They also talk about some of the new features and functions available through the app, including live streaming.

*CLICK* Yep, my child is 13. But are they really? Carl and Dana take some time in this episode to talk about the age requirements in some of those more popular apps. More importantly, they talk about why those age limits are in place. There's some great food for thought here as you help your child get set up with their first accounts on social media or apps.

As we wind down the summer (I know - don't say it out loud!), Dana and Carl chat about some security features to keep in mind as you might be traveling - with or without your kids. Things to consider include locking devices and apps, the risks that come with free wifi, and solutions to keep in mind. These are great ways to help set a good example for your kids surrounding tech security, and it also helps you have discussions together about making safe choices online. Stay safe!

Are your teens suffering from "summer brain"? in this episode, Carl and Dana chat over a few educational apps or brain game apps to help with spatial or other skills! If you have a teen that is a mind-less scroll-er, these (or apps like them) might be a few good options to consider encouraging. Listen to Carl check out a few of the brain games, while Dana shares a bit of information about each and the different types of skills these apps might help us develop.

We're all in this together! Dana and Carl share a few tips that they've gotten from parents in the course of providing safety information. They also talk about things haven't worked; maybe they'll spark new ideas that DO work! Do you have things that have or haven't worked in talking to your kids or monitoring their devices for safety? Share them with Dana and Carl at www.protectkidsonlinewi.gov!

In this episode, Dana & Carl are joined by Ben, a Special Agent in Charge specializing in Human Trafficking investigations. Ben shares information on what human trafficking is and how children can get tricked into it, red flags to watch out for in real life and online, and resources for more information or how to report.

In this episode Carl and Dana take on a new role, reading an example of a previous online enticement chat reported to the CyberTipline. They try to keep it light, but it provides a serious and great example of how quickly online chat can get sexual, how peer pressure is involved, and what some basic grooming tactics look like.

This trending app is surpassing Twitter and Pinterest in downloads - It's a location based anonymous messaging app, intended for anonymous compliments, feedback, and connections. Carl and Dana talk about the good and the bad of anonymous messaging apps, and things that you might want to consider including in your safety discussions with your kids regarding any anonymous messaging app in which they are interested.