Note: This story includes references to suicide and sexual abuse.
The Homer Police Department is hosting a series of presentations for parents this spring to raise awareness about youth safety and etiquette online — from preventing sexual exploitation to stalking and cyberbullying.
“I have one goal with all of this, and that is for you to talk to your kids openly, honestly and often,” said Lt. Ryan Browning, who is leading the series called “Parenting in the Digital Age.” “This cannot be a conversation where we give our kid a cell phone or a tablet or device and we say, ‘Hey, good luck to you. Don’t be an idiot,’ right?”
A recent event at the Homer Public Library drew a few dozen parents for Browning’s two-hour presentation, which included research, discussion, videos, poetry and plenty of humor.
“When you and I were kids, the people that influenced our lives were school, church, family, friends, your neighborhood kids, or where you could ride your bike to, right?,” Browning said. “Nowadays, our kids have connections worldwide, in the blink of an eye or a touch of a button. Many of you may not know who’s influenced your kids, and who they are talking to. And none of that is more true when we deal with cases involving social media and the internet.”
Browning — a father to teens himself – is bringing the discussion to schools and community centers to help parents and kids understand and talk about social media, online privacy and etiquette, signs of abuse or exploitation, and to share resources.
“Good kids make poor decisions. They make stupid decisions. And that doesn’t mean they’re a bad kid,” he said. “This stuff happens to good kids and good families.”
Browning explained that the campaign was motivated by recent disturbing Kenai Peninsula cases. A Homer man was recently arrested for sexual abuse, online intoxication and child pornography after exchanging sexually explicit pictures with several teenage girls. Browning was soon called to assist in a suicide attempt by youths.
“We had a young lady in town who basically had sent her final text, and didn’t want to live anymore. In responding to that call and dealing with her and finding out some of the stuff that got her to that point was a catalyst for me,” he said. “I knew that somebody needs to start somewhere, having this conversation and talking to parents and kids about what their kids are experiencing online.”
Browning highlighted cases of child abuse and child pornography in the Kenai Peninsula, as well as exploitation, at the library. Browning stated that the Homer police received reports last year of 18 cases of sexual assault and four stalking incidents.
“Right now, we have 33 kids who are victims of sexual assault — 33 active cases,” he said. “That is more people than are in this room right now. Telling me this doesn’t happen in Homer? It does.”
Browning stressed that Alaska is experiencing a state-wide sexual assault and exloitation epidemic and that parents must intervene to protect their children and youth.
That means parents need to confront what can sometimes be their worst fears: Talking openly about “stranger danger,” or sex and relationships with their kids.
“These are not easy topics to talk about, especially with your kid. But we’ve got to do it,” Browning said.
He said he’s seen photos and messages be used as blackmail and extortion, and so discussing online privacy and reputation is important.
“If we can teach our kids, and just drill into their little melons that everything is public and permanent,” he said. “Everything they do online, everything they do on social media, everything they do on their cell phones, somebody might see at some point. Because once you press send, it’s not coming back.”
Browning discussed the ways youth connect and share online via phones, tablets, gaming and social media — most popularly on Instagram and Snapchat. But rather than a technical rundown on apps or software, he said it’s about teaching kids appropriate behavior online and recognizing the risks.
He cited data on the addictive nature of social media algorithms, including research showing adolescents are particularly vulnerable to be influenced by what they’re seeing — especially on Instagram — and to experience negative impacts to their mental health.
“Internal documents from Meta or Facebook’s parent company, showed young people are acutely aware that Instagram can be bad for their mental health,” Browning said. “Yet they’re still compelled to spend time in the app for fear of missing out on cultural and social trends.”
Those revelations in 2021 prompted hearings on Capitol Hill and inquiries by state attorneys general nationwide.
“There’s people that make millions of dollars that share this little tiny bit of their perfect life,” Browning said. “And that’s what our kids think is real.”
Browning cited data showing rising rates of hopelessness, depression and suicide among teens, which have increased during the pandemic. There are also high rates of cyberbullying, sexual violence, and abuse.
Browning advised parents to be aware of the signs. These include increased internet time, hiding behavior or device usage, withdrawal, sleeping poorly, and especially if their children are angry or upset when their phone is removed. Browning advised parents not to let their kids take their phones to bed.
For perpetrators of online extortion, bullying or abuse, Browning said it’s about power, and targeting the young and vulnerable.
“One hundred percent, it’s ‘I’m going to get you to do this,’ or ‘I’m going to send your friends this,’ or ‘You’re going to give me money,’” Browning said. “It’s using somebody for means to an end.”
Browning said while there are state anti-harassment laws, there’s no anti-bullying law in Alaska. However, there are some protections and penalties under local school districts.
Joe and Summer, Homer parents, attended the Homer Library Event. Their two children are still young, but they found it informative and highly recommend it for parents.
“I grew up in Homer, and Alaska has always had a problem with [sexual abuse], even before it went online,” Joe said. “And now it’s that much worse that there’s the online component. So yeah anyone with kids could benefit from it for sure.”
Browning encouraged parents to look at online safety resources like Netsmartz and the Internet Watch Foundation, and to report abusive behavior to social media companies like Meta. Browning stated that the Homer Police Department would investigate any tips for sexual extortion and online predatory behavior.
988, a national suicide and crisis helpline that is available 24/7, can provide mental health support and connect people in need to the state’s resources. South Peninsula Hospital, Homer, provides local mental health care.
Browning also encouraged parents to have a conversation.
“Take that deep breath, sit down next to them, and then just start,” he said. “You will be amazed at what your kids will share with you if you’re willing to listen.”
Browning is planning to take the “Parenting in the Digital Age” presentation to schools and community centers around the state. He’ll be presenting at 6:30 p.m. on March 23 at Nikiski High School, at 6 p.m. on March 25 at Soldotna High School, and 6 p.m. on March 29 at Kenai Central High School.
For the full schedule of events, check the Homer Police Department Facebook page.
