065 - 120 Marathons, One Mission: Keep Kids Safe Online

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Tracy, founder of Safe Social Network, a platform dedicated to helping people navigate life in the digital age. He's also the creator of Haven, a step-by-step online safety resource for parents.

Ben shares his unexpected origin story, how he was fired from his first job in politics after someone resurfaced his old tweets. That moment pushed him to start speaking to others about digital awareness, online reputation, and the real dangers kids face every day. Ben also opens up about his run across America: 120 marathons in 125 days, honoring kids lost to online dangers. He carried their names and stories on the back of an RV.

We discuss location sharing, cyberbullying, online predators, the emotional toll of exclusion, fentanyl dealers on social media, and why the future demands a new level of courage from parents.

Learn more about Ben at safesocialnetwork.com and usehavensafety.com.

1:55 Ben's work: online safety, digital citizenship, and responsible social media use

3:27 Haven: a platform for parents

7:20 Location sharing on Snapchat: physical and mental health risks.

9:09 Ben's first job, getting fired, and starting Safe Social Network

11:34 Kids asking for help with online predators, cyberbullying, and self-esteem issues

13:53 Roblox dangers

15:54 Ben's run across the U.S., speaking about online safety and meeting parents of kids lost to online dangers

17:23 Children's names on RV

20:59 A marathon every day, logistics, and support

21:50 Only ~300 people have done this run across the U.S.

29:07 Meeting dad Chris Diddier, fentanyl awareness, and the finish line of the run

34:00 "It's as easy for a teenager to get fentanyl on social media as it is to order a pizza."

34:40 Top 3 takeaways

40:05 "They're not adults because we give them an adult tool."

45:30 Society's responsibility to victims

46:45 Learn more about Ben: safesocialnetwork.com, usehavensafety.com (for parents), @benjtracy