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.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• 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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CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Nate Lewis

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

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

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

EPISODE CHAPTERS

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

  ABOUT THE SHOW

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