August 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety. Check out these curated resources for a deeper understanding of digital violence.
ARTICLE: Start the Conversation, Build Trust, and Empower Your Child to Stay Safe Online
Sextortion is one of the fastest-growing forms of child sexual exploitation — yet many young people and adults are not aware of the threat it poses. More importantly, adults often do not know how to protect kids from the threats of sextortion. This article shows parents how to keep their kids safer.
ARTICLE: Teens regularly chat with AI companions, survey finds
Nearly three in four teens have used AI companions, and half use them regularly. This may surprise parents familiar with AI chatbot products like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini but who haven't heard about platforms that specifically allow users to form friendships and romantic relationships with so-called AI companions. Learn more about how and why teens use AI companions here.
TEACHERS’ GUIDE: Teachers' Essential Guide to Cybersecurity
Most educators don't spend their days thinking about cybersecurity, but as technology evolves and continues to become more integrated into every aspect of our lives—including mental health and biometrics—and cybercrime increases and sometimes targets schools, cybersecurity is something we need to be mindful about and help students understand. This FAQ-style guide will help answer the important questions educators and parents have about cybersecurity.
VIDEO GAME: Unlock You! [2 Player Obby]
Next Gen Men and Equimundo have teamed up to create Unlock You - a Roblox experience that challenges your child’s gaming skills while exploring what it really means to be yourself. Designed specifically with boys in mind but suitable for everyone, Unlock You combines engaging challenges with meaningful conversations woven seamlessly into gameplay. Players navigate through immersive worlds while unlocking insights about identity, friendship, and personal growth. The experience combines gaming excitement with opportunities for real reflection and connection, reaching young people through a medium they already love and understand. Play here.
August 2025 Resource Roundup
Curated resources to help you be informed about the work and advocacy of Project SAGE.
WEB PAGE: Here Are Tips & Resources For Keeping Your Youth Safe.
Exploitation of a child does not typically begin with a dramatic moment like a kidnapping but through a process of grooming that gradually crosses more and more boundaries. Sometimes grooming starts online, sometimes it’s in real life, and often, it’s perpetårated by someone whom the child has grown to trust. Even if the perpetrator technically started as a stranger, the child likely doesn’t see them as a stranger by the time exploitation starts. This collection of resources from Love 146 is designed to help parents and caregivers keep their kids safer from exploitation.
FREE TICKETS: Transmutation: A Ceremony (Live in NYC)
See Transmutation LIVE in NYC! Transmutation: A Ceremony is a powerful theater project born from the stories and experiences of four incredible storytellers: Samantha Jo Dato, Ebony Ava Harper, Alexandra Magallon, and Sydney Rogers. Join people who care deeply about creating a safer and more just world for all children by being part of this unforgettable experience.
Date: October 10-11, 2025
Location: Judson Memorial Church, Greenwich Village, New York City
Time: Friday, October 10 (7-9pm) and Saturday, October 11 (5-7pm)
To secure your FREE tickets, please visit: tinyurl.com/TRANSMUTATIONNYC
ARTICLE: Hope for Freedom Starts with a Plan
In honor of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Polaris is sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how National Human Trafficking Hotline advocates help survivors think through every detail of their next steps, from whether it’s safe to walk out the door to what they need to rebuild after leaving. Read all about it here. Interested in helping staff Project SAGE’s Hotline? Email lindac@project-sage for details.
PODCAST: Could You Son Be Struggling With Loneliness In Silence?
One in seven men say they have no close friends, and only half say they are satisfied with their friendships. This loneliness epidemic among men trickles down to boys as well, with the US Surgeon General noting that loneliness increases feelings of depression and anxiety and is more dangerous to overall health than smoking cigarettes. This All Pro Dads podcast explores the dynamics behind the loneliness epidemic and shares tips for helping your kids build healthy friendships.
PODCAST: How Liberals Fail Young Men And What We Get Wrong About The Manosphere
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to address a growing issue in his state—the alarming rise in suicides and disconnection among boys and young men. The order directs a coordinated statewide response to improve mental health outcomes, reduce stigma, and expand access to meaningful education, work, and mentorship opportunities. Listen to the governor discuss the problem and possible solutions here.
VIDEO: Outsmart Manipulators and Covert Narcissists
If you’re in a relationship with a manipulator, they could be playing a long game that slowly unfolds – maybe over decades – until the moment you realize that you are in an unhealthy relationship. This video makes it easy to understand the tactics that a manipulator may use to control you (charm, rage, envy, entitlement, and pity – CREEP) and how to counter each tactic.
July 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety. Check out these curated resources for a deeper understanding of digital violence.
ARTICLE: The Family Online Safety Institute Welcomes Nex Playground as Its Newest Member
Nex Playground, an active play system that gets families moving year-round, will become the newest member of the Family Online Safety Institute, advancing a shared commitment to safer, more connected digital experiences for families. Nex joins FOSI’s global community with a fresh approach to online safety, emphasizing healthy digital habits, physical activity, and positive online experiences for families. Nex Playground aims to approach online safety by emphasizing healthy digital habits, physical activity, and positive online experiences for families and promote safer, healthier screen time and shared play.
SURVEY: Online Harassment and Abuse Survey
We are sharing an anonymous 5-minute survey from the National Domestic Violence Hotline (in partnership with the National Hotline Consortium) to capture experiences of technology-facilitated abuse—online stalking, harassment, or non-consensual image sharing. Your input will help all of us advocate for better policies and strengthen support for survivors. This survey is completely anonymous. Your name and other identifying information will not be collected.Take the survey here.
FREE WEBINAR: Join Culture Reframed on July 31 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET for a Free Live Webinar, "Keeping Tech in Check"
How can parents and caregivers help young people thrive in an online world? The key is understanding the risks and establishing healthy digital habits from the start.
This conversation with digital wellness experts, Julia Storm and Adrienne Principe will highlight the role of screens on the social and emotional well-being of young people. And offer guidance for how to help kids make healthy digital choices, including:
A clear understanding of the impact of screens and tech on youth
A smart, not scared approach to digital wellness for youth
How to keep kids safe online, including how to respond if they've been exposed to pornography
Best practices for keeping tech in check and tips for summer screentime
A recording of the conversation will be shared with all registrants following the live event. Register here.
CALL TO ACTION: XAI’s 12+ Chatbot Designed to “Be Explicit” and “Go Full Literotica”
XAI’s animated chatbot app Grok has released a new avatar designed to engage in sexually explicit conversations with users, yet the app is rated appropriate for ages 12+ on the Apple store. Learn more and join the petition to change the rating to 18+.
July 2025 Resource Roundup
Curated resources to help you be informed about the work and advocacy of Project SAGE.
ARTICLE: Domestic Abuse in Pregnancy: Risks, Signs & How to Get Help
Shockingly, homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant people. Pregnancy can escalate domestic abuse as abusers feel threatened by the shift in priorities, leading to increased control tactics like physical violence, financial manipulation, and reproductive coercion. The abuser may try to stop their victim from getting help, but there are ways to reach out.
ARTICLE: Domestic Violence and Pets: Survivors Share Their Stories
Fear for their pets’ safety often delays survivors from leaving an abuser, sometimes by months or even years. Pets are a crucial source of emotional support and healing for many survivors, both during and after their escape, yet a lack of pet-friendly domestic violence shelters and organizations remains a major barrier, underscoring the need for more inclusive survivor support systems. But help does exist, and no one should have to choose between safety and their pets.
ARTICLE: Why Threats in a Relationship Should Be Taken Seriously
For domestic violence survivors, there’s a good chance they have experienced threats from an abusive partner. It’s common to dismiss a partner’s threats as empty words or emotional outbursts. But experts warn that these threats are often strategies abusers use for control and intimidation, and they can point to violence in the future. Understanding these threats, why people might minimize them, and the steps someone can take for safety is crucial.
May 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
PODCAST: Deepfake Technology and A.I. in Sexual Exploitation - Ending Sexploitation Podcast
In this episode of the Ending Sexploitation podcast , senior staff from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation discuss the current state of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in the realm of sexual exploitation. Overwhelmingly, these tools are used for pornographic material, and 10% of teenagers have reported being aware of deepfake pornography depicting someone they know. Learn more and find out how you can advocate for meaningful change here.
ARTICLE: What Is Sextortion? And What to Do If It Happens to You
If someone is threatening to share private and explicit/nude photos or videos of you, even AI-generated ones, that’s called sextortion. It’s a crime. It’s happening to a lot of young people. And it’s not their fault. Read about how parents can help a teen who’s being blackmailed with sextortion.
ARTICLE: Take It Down Act
On April 28, 2025, Congress passed historic legislation to combat the online spread of non-consensual intimate images (NCII).. The TAKE IT DOWN Act represents a monumental shift in protecting victims—especially children and survivors of tech-enabled sexual abuse—from exploitation in the digital age. Read more here.
WEB RESOURCE: Social AI Companions
According to testing commissioned by commonsense.org (a leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools), social AI companions – AI-powered “assistants” designed to engage in interactive, realistic-seeming conversation – pose unacceptable risks to teens and children under 18, including encouraging harmful behaviors, providing inappropriate content, and potentially exacerbating mental health conditions. See the results of the tests, read about the concerns, and view guidance and recommendations here.
May 2025 Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: How to Divorce an Abusive Spouse Military Edition
Divorcing an abusive partner is a complicated endeavor. If he or she is a member of the U.S. military, the process can be even more arduous. Explore one survivor’s story of navigating this often fraught process, and read advice from a family court strategist here.
VIDEO: New report details state's response to human trafficking through victims' eyes
Sex trafficking happens everywhere. Even here. Connecticut officials say that since Covid, sex trafficking in the state has been on the rise with no signs of slowing. A recent report on victims as young as 12 highlights some of the challenges facing the state in combating this abuse. Learn more in this two-minute news short.
April 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: What Adolescence gets right (and wrong) about the manosphere
The Netflix series Adolescence raises the important issue of online radicalization and the manosphere – but there is no straightforward reason as to how or why young people are radicalized to commit extreme acts of violence. Read more about how this series sheds light on the phenomenon of online radicalization.
SERIES: Adolescence
Watch Adolescence on Netflix. Watch now.
SHORT VIDEO: Dirty Dozen List 2025 Presents: Communications Decency Act Section 230
Every year, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation presents a Dirty Dozen List targeting 12 entities or platforms that they find to be facilitating, enabling, or profiting from sexual abuse and exploitation. This year, they are focusing on 12 stories that unmask the real root of the problem: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Watch this 2-minute video to learn more and find out how you can take action. Watch now.
ARTICLE: When Abusers Threaten Revenge Porn
Sharing explicit images without permission or “leaking nudes” is a form of sexual violence that is used to exert control over a partner or ex-partner. Learn more about this coercive tactic and what you can do if you are targeted. Read now.
April 2025 Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: Ask Amanda: Should I Text My Ex?
Should you text a red-flag ex? Amanda of the monthly relationship-advice column Ask Amanda weighs in on the subject. Read now.
VIDEO: 10 Signs of Financial Abuse You May Be Missing
Financial abuse is one of the many ways abusers assert power and control over their partner and it can take many forms. This type of abuse is very common and occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases. Learn to spot signs of financial abuse. Watch now.
PODCAST: If You Touch, I'll Tell: Preventing Children from Sexual Abuse
In this episode of the Voice2Change Podcast, host Jocelyn Maminta interviews Dr. Shamina Aubuchon, author of "If You Touch, I'll Tell," a children’s book designed to help parents talk with their children about body safety. Shamina, a survivor of child sexual abuse, shares her journey and the powerful motivation behind becoming an author. Listen now.
ARTICLE: Does Anger Management Really Stop Domestic Violence?
Court-ordered anger management is a common recommendation after abusers are charged with violence against their partner. However, domestic violence is rooted in power and control, and anger is a tactic of control aimed specifically at one person: their intimate partner. Learn more about the relationship between anger and the dynamics of power and control. Read now.
March 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
New research finds that 40% of children have a tablet by age 2 and spend about 2.5 hours per day on screen time. Gaming time has surged 65% since 2020, and traditional TV viewing has declined, while short-form video platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts are on the rise, underscoring the increasingly complex media environment that parents must navigate in their children's early years. Read more key findings and find the full report here.
VIDEO: Digital Essentials for Seniors
This video by Older Adults Technology Service (OATS) and AARP explores how to create strong passwords, spotting and avoiding online spam and phishing attempts, securing online banking, and other useful digital tips. Watch now.
ARTICLE: Digital Essentials: Online Safety
Research shows that deepfake pornography makes up 98% of all deepfake videos online, and 99% of the individuals targeted in deepfake pornography are women. It now takes less that 25 minutes and costs $0 to create a 60-second deepfake pornographic video of anyone using just one clear face image. Create a free account with medium.com to read more about this troubling trend.
VIDEO: Unpacking the Threat of Chatbots (with Adam Dodge)
Research shows kids spend more time on Character AI than TikTok. Why? Companion bots (chatbots), like Character AI, are more addictive than social media because they simulate real human relationships without the potential for conflict. They offer 24/7 validation - a “friend” who is always there to support, entertain and agree with you. It’s nice in theory but harmful in practice. Digital safety advocate Adam Dodge unpacks this phenomenon here.
March 2025 Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: Neuropsychologist shares the one sentence boys need to hear (over and over again)
Neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez reports that “middle school boys often absorb societal messages that discourage emotional expression….[and] suppressing emotions can lead to stress, anxiety and difficulty forming healthy relationships.” How can parents help counter these harmful messages? Read the article now.
ARTICLE: Understanding Boundaries and Consent in Relationships
Just as your home may have a fence that divides your property from your neighbor’s, a boundary is a virtual fence that separates your body, emotions, and energy from someone else’s. Boundaries help establish limits for what you deem acceptable. Read this guide to see examples of healthy boundaries and learn more about the importance of consent in every relationship.
PODCAST: S6 Ep 5: Power To Break Free
Listen as Anisha Durve – survivor, author, and motivational speaker – uncovers the red flags of abusive relationships, explores the critical role communities play in either enabling or preventing partner abuse, and highlights the resilience and healing that survivors can achieve.
February 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
Digital Boundaries The line between healthy and unhealthy relationships can get confusing once online. It’s not always clear what your digital boundaries or relationship should look like. These tips show how couples can discuss their digital boundaries in a safe and healthy way. Read now.
Romantic AI Chatbots Don’t Have Your Privacy at Heart
Although AI girlfriends are marketed as something that will enhance mental health and well-being, they specialize in delivering dependency, loneliness, and toxicity, all while prying as much data as possible from users. All 11 romantic AI chatbots reviewed by moz://a earned their *Privacy Not Included warning label – putting them on par with the worst categories of products moz://a has ever reviewed for privacy. Read more about the privacy concerns surrounding AI chatbots.
Thorn's Issue Page The intersection of child abuse and technology has created a public health crisis that demands our attention. Child sexual abuse and exploitation in the digital age are complex issues, driven by a variety of factors that make them challenging to fully understand. Explore how we got here and what’s fueling this crisis on Thorn’s issue page.
Catherine Chen & Sara Woldehanna: Ending Human Trafficking with Survivor-Centered AI
Catherine Chen and Sara Woldehanna share a unique vision for AI: one in which the technology protects, uplifts, and empowers survivors of all forms of injustice, exploitation, and abuse. Their vision is more than just a dream. It’s a testament to what’s possible. Read more about their work leveraging AI in the anti-trafficking space.
February 2025 Resource Roundup
PODCAST: First Podcast About Financial Abuse as a Domestic Violence Issue!
Financial abuse can be a silent yet devastating form of domestic violence, often going unrecognized even by those experiencing it. In this podcast, host and survivor Laurie G. sheds light on this pervasive issue that affects individuals across all demographics. Listen now.
ARTICLE: Your Body, My Choice Has Made Its Way to High Schools
Misogynistic slogans like "Your body, my choice" are being used by young boys in schools as a form of harassment, influenced by online hate speech. This behavior creates unsafe environments for female and marginalized students and reinforces the dangerous misogynistic rhetoric that fuels relationship violence. This article explores how to talk with youth of all genders about healthy masculinity and healthy relationships – and how to respond if your child becomes a target at school. Start reading.
SHORT VIDEO: What is The Power and Control Wheel?
The Power and Control Wheel shows how domestic violence is perpetrated in a pattern of power and control. Survivors say they see it and “everything clicks into place.” Learn more about how this powerful graphic can be used to identify domestic violence by watching this two-minute video.
SPECIAL RESOURCES: Addressing & Preventing Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault The annual NFL Social Responsibility Curriculum is taught to all members of NFL teams and NFL league offices using a combination of videos and interactive discussion. The curricula are available for free, and the NFL encourages everyone to utilize them to help engage male allies through sports. Explore now.
QUIZ: Am I Emotionally Abusive?
When someone calls you emotionally abusive, they may be trying to shift the blame off of them and onto you. Take this 8-question quiz to see if your actions could be considered abusive. Start quiz.
ARTICLE: Teaching Teens About Dating Violence
Learning about healthy relationships early means less chance of domestic violence later on. Let your teen know that spotting the signs is important—it could help protect them as well as those they care about. Read now.
Steps to Take If You Are Being Threatened with Non-consensual Image Sharing
Use these tips and resources to help take control of your image. Click here to download a brochure with this information.
Reach out for Emotional Support
Trusted Adult
Talk to a trusted adult: parent, caregiver, teacher, coach, or other community member.
Trusted Friend
Reach out to a trusted friend for support as you contact one of the adults mentioned above.
Outside Support
Contact Project SAGE at 860-364-1900 or contact your local domestic violence agency.
Text “THORN” to 741741 to speak to trained counselor and get support during a moment of crisis. (Available in English and Spanish.)
Deal with the Accounts and Evidence
Limit Access
Consider whether to block, mute, or restrict the other person. (Keep in mind whether they will know about this action and what will meet your needs.)
Report It
Report to the platform where images are posted. some helpful platform-specific information can be found here: bit.ly/4cz14TQ
Save Evidence
Do not delete the account. Get screen shots of pages with the URL, time and date.
Save them as PDFs. If there is video footage, download the entire video to a hard drive.
Consider whether to include a Litigation Hold Request.
Get Legal and Technology Support
Technology
To get images taken down: takeitdown.ncmec.org
To prevent images from being posted: stopncii.org
Legal
If you feel ready, report to NCMEC at report.cybertip.org
If you feel ready, report to the FBI. FBI tip line 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov
Other Resources
Find more information on this topic at the following sites:
THORN - Stop Sextortion: bit.ly/3YNMkgG
Without My Consent Evidence Preservation: bit.ly/3AAepxZ
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative: cybercivilrights.org
Human Anti-trafficking Response Team: portal.ct.gov/dcf/hart/home
January 2025 Resource Roundup
This short talk sponsored by Safety Net Project gives a brief overview of how technology intersects with abuse. Watch now.
ARTICLE: Latest Trends: Intimate Image Abuse
As the use of intimate images and videos to cause harm continues to evolve, it’s important to stay current on this issue – but that’s easier said than done! This article shares multiple resources that shed light on this disturbing phenomenon. Click to read.
WEBINAR: Healthy Masculinity in the Age of AI: Navigating Challenges to Relationships & Identity
Watch this EndTAB webinar for a timely and urgent discussion with masculinity expert Dr. Saed D. Hill about the state of healthy masculinity in the age of Artificial Intelligence - and the rapid challenges this technology presents in engaging men and boys today. Watch now.
TOOLKIT: Technology Safety & Privacy
Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking often need information on how to be safe while using technology. This toolkit contains safety tips, information, and privacy strategies for survivors on the use of technology. Get the toolkit.
WEB RESOURCE: 4 Digital Safety Resources: 20+ Languages
The value of providing resources to survivors in their native language cannot be overstated. These can often be hard to come by or locate when needed - and this is true for digital safety resources as well. These four multilingual and culturally-informed resources focus on increasing digital safety. Explore now.
RECURSO EN ESPAÑOL: La intersección entre la trata, la violencia domestica y la technología
Esta breve charla patrocinada por Safety Net Project ofrece una breve descripción general de cómo la tecnología se cruza con el abuso.
December 2024 Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: You Can Call a Hotline Even If You Don't Want to Leave
Contrary to what many believe, shelter hotlines are not only for people who are looking for a safe escape from domestic abuse; the trained advocates on the other end of the phone are also ready to provide information and resources to a wide range of callers. Whether you are in a relationship that is feeling problematic—but you’re not quite sure if it’s abuse—or you’re worried about someone else who is being abused, consider the ways calling a hotline might help answer some of your questions. Read these 10 questions.
APP: Empowering decisions for a safe path forward
myPlan is a free app offered in English and Spanish to help with safety decisions if you, or someone you care about, may be experiencing abuse in an intimate relationship. It’s private, secure, personalized, and backed by research with domestic violence survivors involved every step of the way. myPlan provides anonymous questions about you and the relationship, and your answers will customize myPlan to your situation. Explore now.
VIDEO INTERVIEW: Pauline Stuart: I Want Parents to Know the Truth About Sextortion
Pauline Stuart's story is one every parent needs to hear. After losing her son Ryan, a victim of sextortion, she has become an advocate determined to educate others on the dangers and rapid escalation of this crime. Watch Pauline share her experience and learn vital lessons to help protect your own family. Read now.
ARTICLE: How Self-Compassion Can Help You Deal With Stress
According to new research, self-compassion may help people use more effective coping strategies and in turn feel better. Read more to learn how we can set ourselves up to approach stressors in a healthier and more productive way. Read now.
ARTICLE: What Does Mental Abuse Feel Like?
Mental abuse, a combination of verbal abuse and emotional abuse, is one of many tactics abusers use to exert power and control over a partner. Learn how mental abuse tears down self-worth – and what can be done about it. Read now.
November 2024 Resource Roundup
PODCAST: Connecting in Polarized Times
The holidays can be a time of connecting with family and friends. It can also mean experiencing tense moments of disagreement possibly over the Thanksgiving table. Calm and equip yourself by cultivating a sense of curiosity about the people in our lives with this 10-minute meditation. Click for calm.
ARTICLE: Your Partner Can’t Always Be There for You, But Self-Care Can
As we recognize the stress of the past weeks and the whirlwind of the upcoming holiday season, take a moment to assess how you and your loved ones care for themselves. This short informative piece from One Love breaks down what self care means and how we can tend to our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It’s not an indulgence to cultivate a self-care practice, but a necessity and something we all deserve! Read now to take action.
FACT SHEET: Deepfake Nudes and Other Trends in Youth Behavior Online
With new technology comes new risks. Use this information from Thorn, a technology nonprofit that fights child sexual abuse, to learn how “deepfake” nudes exist in the lives of young people today. By knowing more we can all help to be ahead of the technology and encourage youth to think critically about how they these technologies are being used and how they can stand for healthy relationships in their lives. Read here.
CALL TO ACTION: Pass the Survivor Model in 2025
Take a moment to join the National Center on Sexual Exploitation in encouraging legislators to pass the Survivor Model to protect victims of the sex trade. It is critical that legislators consider the Survivor Model in 2025 to ensure that sex buyers are held accountable for perpetuating the harms of the sex trade. Click to take action.