If you're new here, welcome.

My name is Ben Gillenwater, also known as The Family IT Guy. I’m a dad and a cybersecurity expert with 30 years of experience, and my mission is simple: help families keep kids safe online while raising healthy, capable humans in a digital world.

In this video, I break down the two biggest online threats facing kids today:

• Addictive algorithms

• Anonymous online chat

These systems are not accidental. Social media platforms are intentionally designed to maximize attention, and anonymous messaging creates environments where predators, criminal networks, and dangerous influences can reach children at scale.

But this video is not about fear.

It’s about understanding what matters most and focusing on practical solutions that actually help families:

• Education over panic

• Skills over rules

• Community over isolation

• Leading by example as parents

I also share the free resources available through Family IT Guy, including:

• Articles and conversation guides

• My podcast with psychologists, detectives, and parenting experts

• My “boring iPhone” setup guide for kids

• The Being meditation app

• The Family IT Guy community

This is a complicated time for parents, but you do not have to figure it out alone.

Resources:

www.familyitguy.com

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:20 Why This Work Matters

00:40 The Two Core Problems

01:14 How Addictive Algorithms Work

01:35 Anonymous Chat and Online Predators

02:04 Why This Matters for Every Family

02:41 Skills vs Rules

03:14 Leading by Example as Parents

04:08 Hope for the Next Generation

04:18 Free Resources for Families

05:15 Questions From the Community

Subscribe for practical guidance on parenting, technology, and online safety.