AQ'S Corner

There are moments when I look back on my early internet days, AOL chat rooms, late-night debates with strangers, and the thrill of “You’ve Got Mail.” It was a different time but the dangers were still there.

Back in college, I was deep in my Computer Science and Information Science studies, juggling coursework by day and diving into the digital underground by night. Chat rooms and forums were my second home, where I had my own tight-knit crew—my virtual squad—CatLove44 and Cooper299. We laughed, debated, and shared secrets in a way that felt different from my real-life college friendships. Don’t get me wrong, I had great friends on campus, but there was a unique thrill in connecting with strangers online—people who just got me in a way that felt electrifying.

But thinking back now… what if one of those people had been a predator? What if I had agreed to meet up? What if I had shared something personal with the wrong person? I could have been one of them. One of the kids we read about today—trapped, blackmailed, and desperate.

The Reality We Can’t Ignore: Sextortion and Online Exploitation

The world isn’t the same as it was back then. It’s worse.

Since 2021, at least 30 teenage boys have died by suicide after being targeted by online sextortion scams. (USA Today, Article 2025)

In 2022, a 17-year-old Australian boy, Rohan Cosgriff, took his own life after being blackmailed in a sextortion scam. (The Guardian, 2024)

In 2023, the FBI saw a tenfold increase in sextortion cases involving minors, many of which resulted in suicide. (FBI.gov, 2024)

The Internet Isn’t Just Fun Anymore, It’s a Battlefield

Our kids are digital natives, scrolling, snapping, and streaming their way through life. They think they know everything, but they don’t see what we see. They don’t see the predator disguised as a friendly DM. They don’t see the AI-generated deepfake that makes them believe a lie. They don’t see the scam until they’re already trapped. But we do. And it’s our job to step in.

The Best Monitoring Tools for Phones and Laptops

If I’ve learned anything as a Cybersecurity Analyst and a parent, it’s that you can’t afford to assume your kid is safe online. These tools can help:

1. Bark – The Digital Watchdog 🐶

✔️ Monitors texts, emails, and 30+ social media platforms for cyberbullying, sextortion, and inappropriate content.
✔️ Sends alerts only when something is wrong—no unnecessary snooping.
💰 $14/month or $99/year
📱 Get Bark Here

2. Qustodio – The Comprehensive Guardian 🛡️

✔️ Blocks harmful content, tracks GPS locations, and allows screen time limits.
✔️ Provides detailed activity reports so you can see what’s happening.
💰 $54.95/year for one device; $99.95/year for families
📱 Get Qustodio Here

3. Net Nanny – The Intelligent Filter 🚦

✔️ Uses AI to block explicit content and monitor social media.
✔️ Best for younger kids who need strong content filtering.
💰 $39.99/year for one device; $89.99/year for 20 devices
📱 Get Net Nanny Here

4. Life360 – The Family Locator 📍

✔️ Real-time location tracking + driving safety insights.
✔️ Alerts you when your child arrives or leaves a location.
💰 Free basic plan; Premium starts at $4.99/month
📱 Get Life360 Here

5. mSpy – The Stealth Monitor 🕵️‍♂️

✔️ Monitors social media, call logs, and keystrokes.
✔️ Runs in stealth mode—perfect for tech-savvy teens.
💰 $48.99/month or $11.66/month for a 12-month plan
📱 Get mSpy Here

6. Google Family Link 👩‍👧

✔️ Set screen time limits, manage apps, and track your child’s location.
✔️ Best of all? It’s FREE.
📱 Get Family Link Here

I’m currently using Google Family Link for my daughter’s android devices.

How Kids Hide Their Online Activities (Yes, Even the “Good” Ones)

I hear this ALL THE TIME— “My kid is smart. They wouldn’t do anything risky online.” Trust me. They already have.

Here’s how kids hide things:

🚨 Vault Apps – Secret storage disguised as calculators or utility apps.
🚨 “Finstas” (Fake Instagrams) – Hidden social media accounts.
🚨 Renaming Contacts – That “Jessica” in their phone? Might not be Jessica.
🚨 In-App Messaging – Games and apps with chat features you don’t even know exist.
🚨 Private Browsing & VPNs – Erases their tracks so you can’t see what they’re up to.

The Most Important Thing: Talk to Your Kids

At the end of the day, no app or monitoring tool will ever replace an open conversation.

✔️ Talk about online risks before something happens.
✔️ Let them know they can ALWAYS come to you—without punishment.
✔️ Teach them about grooming, blackmail, and red flags.
✔️ Make sure they know: NO ONE online is ever truly anonymous.

Stay vigilant. Stay engaged. Stay connected.