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.

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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.

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March 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup

ARTICLE: Digital Childhood Starts at Age Two: Landmark Study Shows Evolution of Young Children's Media Use

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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January 2025 Resource Roundup

VIDEO: Tech Talk

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.

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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.

RECURSO EN ESPAÑOL: ¿Qué es la violencia doméstica?

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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.

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