How to Protect Your Teen from Online Predators Without Controlling Their Every Move

Worried your teen might fall into the wrong hands online? You’re not being overprotective—you’re being smart. In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I’m joined by Nate Lewis, founder of The Innocent, a nonprofit on a mission to protect kids from trafficking, exploitation, and abuse right here in the U.S.

A former law enforcement officer with 20+ years of global experience in anti-trafficking operations, Nate shares expert-backed, real-world strategies for protecting your teen—without shutting them down or locking everything down. If you’ve ever felt helpless watching your teen scroll through social media or worried about who’s DMing them behind the scenes, this episode gives you clarity and next steps.

We dig into the grooming process, why emotionally vulnerable teens are at greater risk, and what subtle online red flags parents often miss. But most importantly, we talk about how to build the kind of connection that keeps your teen safe. Because the best safety tool isn’t an app—it’s trust.

• The #1 predictor of whether a predator can gain access to your teen
  
  
• Why controlling devices can backfire—and what to do instead
  
  
• How to talk to your teen about safety without triggering defensiveness
  
  
• The role of male mentors and modeling in reducing vulnerability
  
  

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Website: theinnocent.org
Instagram: @theinnocent.usa
LinkedIn: Nate Lewis
TikTok: @theinnocent.usa

Website: askdrcam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

00:00 Understanding the Risks of Online Predators
02:55 Nate Lewis’s Journey and Motivation
05:48 The Psychology of Grooming and Exploitation
08:45 Building Trust and Communication with Teens
11:31 Navigating Social Media Safely
14:35 Identifying Vulnerabilities in Teens
17:18 Empowering Teens Against Manipulation
20:09 The Role of Parents in Prevention
23:04 Modeling Healthy Relationships
25:55 Addressing the Issue of Consent
28:54 Supporting Teens After Trauma
31:56 Creating a Community Response
34:44 The Importance of Education and Awareness

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

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