Human Trafficking & Technology: Staying Safer Online

Every January, during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, I find myself thinking about the phones in our pockets and the apps our kids love. Technology keeps us connected here in Tioga County, sharing photos with grandparents, checking in with friends, helping teens learn and explore. But as a neighbor and as someone who sits with survivors every day, I also carry a quiet worry: the same tools that help us can be misused by people who want to exploit others.

 

This blog isn’t about fear, blame, or shame. It’s simply about awareness and small habits that make a meaningful difference. None of us can be “perfect” online. We’re all learning as we go.

 

How Traffickers Misuse Technology

 

In my work at A New Hope Center, I’ve seen how traffickers and abusers use technology as another tool for power and control, much like we see in domestic and sexual violence.

 

Online, traffickers may:

• Groom and recruit by pretending to be a romantic partner, promising modeling jobs, offering quick money, or telling a young person they can provide an escape from problems at home.
• Monitor and control someone by demanding passwords, checking locations, or impersonating them online to ruin relationships or cause fear.

These tactics aren’t always obvious. Often, they start with kindness, attention, or “I understand you better than anyone else.” Technology just makes it easier for someone to reach into a young person’s life without stepping foot into their home.

 

Everyday Online Safety Habits for Families

 

What I tell parents, caregivers, and teens is this: You do not have to overhaul your whole digital life. A few small habits can go a long way. Here are some gentle, doable steps inspired by DHS Blue Campaign and other national safety resources:

• Think before you post: Ask, “Would I be okay if a stranger, my school, or my boss saw this?”
• Keep profiles limited to people you actually know in real life.
• Avoid sharing personal details like your address, school, daily schedule, or photos that you wouldn’t want passed around.
• Be cautious with new “friends” online: If someone wants to meet, keep it in a public place, and bring an adult or trusted friend into the loop.
• Talk openly about apps and privacy settings: Instead of monitoring out of fear, try sitting together and saying, “Let’s check your settings, what do you want people to see?” or “What apps are your friends using lately?”

Kids and teens tend to be more honest when they know they won’t get in trouble for being confused, curious, or unsure about something they saw online.