“How do I know if my child is at risk?”

“How do I know if my child is at risk?”

A father recently asked us this question, and it’s one we hear often. The truth is that any child with a smartphone and access to strangers online is vulnerable. Still, there are warning signs we see again and again in the cases we handle:

  • Substance use (especially marijuana and alcohol)
  • Past trauma or instability at home
  • Self-harm behaviors
  • Skipping school
  • Changes in behavior or dress (including provocative clothing)

What can you do?

  • Have open, ongoing conversations with your child.
  • Try to avoid letting kids spend time alone on their phones behind closed doors, and monitor who they are talking to online.
  • Test regularly for substance use — and hold a firm zero-tolerance policy.
  • Remember their brains are still developing; poor decisions don’t make them “bad kids.”
  • Seek help — there are many excellent resources, and we’re always here to guide you.

Raising teens in the age of TikTok, Roblox, and 24/7 online access is incredibly challenging. But consistent conversations — even just around the dinner table — can make all the difference in keeping them safe.

To learn more about what you can do locally, contact your Finding Kids County Champion, or send an email to info@findingkids.org

Today, predators can reach vulnerable children through phones, social media, gaming platforms, and the internet, often before families realize something is wrong. Finding Kids responds through three core programs: Recover. Care. Target. We help locate missing and exploited children, support families during and after recovery, and work with law enforcement to identify and disrupt those who exploit youth. Our work continues after a child is found because recovery is only the beginning. By combining investigations, aftercare, and prevention, we help children return safely to their homes, schools, and communities while building a future where every vulnerable child receives help before crisis becomes exploitation. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly towards keeping kids safe. We cannot do this work without your support.

*Names has been changed to protect the victim’s identity.