Protecting Children Online with Detective Sergeant Natalie Stokowski | Episode 46
A Detective’s Guide to Teen Safety: What You Need to Know About Online Grooming, AI Deepfakes and Cyber Safety
In this episode of Educational Currency, hosts Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis are joined by Detective Sergeant Natalie Stokowski from the NSW Police Force Child Exploitation Internet Unit.
Natalie shares her journey from arriving in Australia as a non-English-speaking teenager to leading cybercrime investigations. The discussion explores the realities of modern digital safety, shedding light on how offenders target young people across everyday social media, gaming apps and encrypted platforms.
From unpacking the mechanics of sextortion and financial exploitation to examining the rising threats of AI deepfakes and non-consensual image manipulation, Natalie provides actionable insights for parents and teachers. Discover how open, non-punitive communication at home can serve as a child’s strongest line of defense.
Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis have over 20 years of teaching experience. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to spot modern digital threats: Get clear, up-to-date insights into online grooming, financial extortion, deepfakes, and generative AI—so you know exactly what to look out for in today's digital environment.Practical strategies for parents and educators: Discover actionable ways to identify red flags, build trust during tough conversations, and set healthy digital boundaries without driving young people away.Behind the scenes of international law enforcement: Gain a rare look at how law enforcement agencies—from local police to international partners like the FBI and Interpol—tackle child exploitation and maintain resilience while doing high-stakes work.Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and Welcome
01:16 – From ESL Student to NSW Police Officer
04:12 – Early Career, General Duties, and De-escalation Skills
05:07 – Moving into Criminal Investigations and Homicide
06:33 – Joining the Child Exploitation Internet Unit
11:42 – Police Rank Progression and Leadership Roles
13:57 – Understanding Online Grooming and Digital Exploitation
17:21 – Gender Differences in Exploitation: Sexual vs. Financial Extortion
21:48 – Covert Operations, International Partnerships, and Safeguarding Kids
28:04 – Red Flags for Educators and Workplace Boundaries
29:53 – How Parents Can Handle Online Issues Without Driving Kids Away
35:06 – Legal Definitions and Age of Consent vs. Child Exploitation Laws
38:39 – The Rise of Generative AI, Deepfakes, and Image Security
43:05 – Proactive vs. Reactive Policing in Child Protection
47:46 – Global Reach: Working with FBI, Interpol, and International Agencies
50:51 – Mental Health, Resilience, and Closing the "Roller Door"
#CyberSafety #OnlineSafety #ChildProtection #DigitalSafety #ParentingTips #EdTech #CyberCrime #Deepfakes #AIGovernance #EducationalCurrency #NSWPolice #TeacherResources
Resources and links
https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-peoplehttps://www.cyber.gov.au/protect-yourself/staying-secure-online/protecting-your-family/protect-yourself-onlinehttps://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/crime_prevention/young_people/young_people/social_networking_safetyhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/3r4FMQiX7t9twaOG8YRije?si=e5fb1e482c11459cYou can find us on the socials and web at
Web https://educationalcurrencypodcast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560065728384 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/educationalcurrencypodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0eHbg72109gSBB7mapUowX?si=bqB-w3h7T6y1fOPvRuCFlw Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@EducationalCurrencyPodcast 
