In this powerful episode of Secured, host Mike Matranga is joined by Lori Downs and Chele Gillon of Barron Area School District to explore the complex intersection of technology, online safety, and student mental health. As children are given smartphones and social media access at younger ages, Downs and Gillon warn that many are not developmentally prepared to handle the emotional and social pressures that come with it. The anonymity and reach of online platforms expose students to real dangers—especially sextortion, predatory behavior, and constant social comparison—all while leaving a digital footprint that can have lifelong consequences.

The guests urge parents and educators to move beyond passive monitoring and embrace proactive strategies: set boundaries around tech use, create tech-free zones, secure devices at night, and most importantly, have open, honest conversations with children about what they’re seeing and experiencing online. They emphasize that tools like mental health screeners and SEL (social-emotional learning) surveys can help uncover issues in students who may otherwise mask their distress.

Matranga and his guests also challenge the overemphasis on rare active shooter scenarios, pointing out that the far more common risks—sextortion, anxiety, self-harm—are often overlooked. By focusing on these issues and building strong, trusting relationships with students, schools can create environments that not only support safety, but also promote long-term well-being.