Sean Thomas Jones

Discord has become one of the most popular platforms among children and teenagers for gaming, chatting, and forming online communities. My own daughter uses Discord daily to participate in several online communities. While it offers a space for social interaction and shared interests, it also poses significant dangers that parents, particularly fathers, need to be aware of.  One of the primary risks on Discord is exposure to inappropriate content. Discord servers can be unmoderated or poorly moderated, allowing explicit language, images, and discussions that are not suitable for young users. Children and teenagers can inadvertently stumble upon or be invited to these servers, exposing them to harmful material. It’s even possible that our own children may decide to expose others to inappropriate content.  Cyberbullying is another significant concern. Discord’s anonymity allows users to engage in bullying behavior without fear of real-world consequences. This can lead to emotion...

Imagine your child receiving money and gifts from a ‘friend’ they met online. What seems like harmless generosity could mask a darker reality — one that every parent needs to be prepared for. As a member of Infragard I have access to multiple threat intelligence products that are released daily through the Infragard secure portal. Last month I received a Liaison Information Report that was distributed by the FBI titled Criminals Sexually Exploit Minors in “Sugar Dating” Relationships. The report discusses how minors are becoming involved in sugar dating relationships and coerced into making content and performing actions at the directions of a criminal. What is Sugar Dating "Sugar dating" is a type of relationship where an older person with money, often called a "sugar daddy" or "sugar mama," offers financial support or gifts to a younger person, known as a "sugar baby," in exchange for companionship or intimacy. This can happen in person, online...

If your children are using VRChat, please take caution. As I was exploring some of the newer public worlds in VRChat I came across a world that I will leave unnamed. This particular world had inappropriate images for children but not to my shock I heard the voices of multiple young children in this world. It is pretty normal to hear the voices of young children in the public spaces of VRChat. Please let this be a reminder that many of these places are not safe or appropriate for our children. Here’s what you need to know about the platform and how to protect your children from stumbling into harmful spaces.  Sexually suggestive VRChat world.  What Makes VRChat Risky for Kids?  VRChat is an open platform where users can create and explore virtual worlds. While this creativity is one of its strengths, it also poses challenges when it comes to content moderation. Unlike platforms with strict content guidelines, VRChat allows virtually anyone to design and upload worlds—some ...

  If you’ve ever asked your kids what they’re up to online, chances are you’ve heard, “I’m playing Minecraft!” It’s a common response—and often the end of the conversation for many parents. But if your child is playing Minecraft online, it’s important to dig a little deeper, starting with the question: “Whose Minecraft server are you playing on?” Many parents aren’t aware that private Minecraft servers exist or what they entail. My children play on private servers with friends and we also have our own for friends and family. These servers can offer fantastic opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and fun, but they can also pose risks if parents aren’t informed. This guide will help you understand what private servers are, their potential dangers, and how you can help your child stay safe while enjoying the game. What Are Private Minecraft Servers?  A private Minecraft server is a custom environment where players can join friends or strangers to build worlds, compete in c...

Are you or your family using AI platforms such as ChatGPT, MidJourney, or Adobe Firefly? These platforms are incredible tools that can help us be more productive in work, school, and everyday life. For instance, if we wanted to publish a book, we could use an AI platform to proofread the text, create illustrations, and even develop a social media and marketing plan. These steps can be completed quickly with the help of AI technology.  However, we need to be cautious about letting our children access these services. Some of these platforms are more lenient in terms of what can be created than others. One of the more lenient platforms, particularly regarding AI art, is OpenDream.ai. This AI-powered platform is designed to help users create art and visuals easily from text prompts. It is known for generating anime-style images, photorealistic visuals, and other abstract or creative designs.  The Risks of AI Art Platforms  Parents should be especially concerned about this pla...

Have you or your child ever wanted to add a cool game mod but worried about downloading a virus? When my daughter started playing Minecraft, she wanted to add mods to make the game more fun. Mods can change how the game looks, add new features, or make it run better. Some mods are official and come from Minecraft, but others are made by different players or companies. I noticed that a lot of the unofficial mods we found were dangerous. Some had malicious software called "information stealers." These programs try to take important things like usernames, passwords, credit card information, and even cryptocurrency. Hackers can sell or give away this stolen data on the internet. To stay safe, I had my daughter use a tool called VirusTotal before installing any mods. VirusTotal lets you upload files to its website, where many antivirus programs check to see if the files are safe. Sometimes, files that got past our browser’s security or our computer's antivirus were caught by V...