Today, The Guardian: A Law Enforcement Podcast begins a new series with Dr. Bekah Sparks focused on the realities of living in a cyber world.

Dr. Bekah Sparks is an Extension Project Specialist with the Trauma-Informed Parenting and Professional Strategies (TIPPS) team. She earned a B.A. in Communication, an M.S. in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in Human Development & Family Science, all from Mississippi State University. With 16 years of technology education and support experience at Mississippi State University Extension, Dr. Sparks now helps to develop and support statewide family and child development programs that turn developmental research into practical, evidence-based resources for daily living. Her work bridges developmental research and real-world technology for Mississippi families, transforming findings on family and child development into actionable strategies parents and guardians can apply at home, in the car after practice, or during late-night conversations about social media, privacy, and identity. She is committed to making digital wellbeing guidance accessible, culturally responsive, and informed by authentic family experiences—empowering parents and teens not merely to manage technology but genuinely thrive with it.