Cyber Safety in the News
More Than 1 in 3 Adolescent and Teen Boys Are Gambling—And It Often Starts with Video Games
Parent’s Magazine, February 3, 2026
A new study from Common Sense Media finds that gambling is far more common among U.S. boys ages 11–17 than many parents realize, with about 36% reporting they gambled in the past year. Much of this is not traditional betting, such as sports wagering or card games, but rather gambling-like systems embedded in video games, such as loot boxes and randomized reward mechanics that require real money and mimic slot machine behavior. These features normalize chance-based spending in contexts kids view as harmless gaming, making the line between play and gambling blurry.
The study also highlights several ways boys are exposed to gambling: social media ads, sports broadcasts, peer influence, and algorithms pushing gambling-related content into feeds. A significant majority of boys who see gambling content online are not necessarily seeking it out, instead the content is delivered to them as part of regular scrolling on platforms like YouTube or TikTok. Peer groups were one of the strongest predictors of gambling behavior, with many boys more likely to gamble if their friends do.
Experts warn that starting these habits early, especially while teens’ brains are still developing, can increase the risk of addictive behaviors, anxiety, depression, and negative impacts on school or relationships. Parents are encouraged to talk openly about gambling, set spending limits, monitor in-game purchases, and watch for patterns of frequent gambling rather than isolated instances. The goal is to help students understand the risks and recognize gambling-like mechanics before they escalate into problematic habits.
‘Firearm Influencers’ Are Targeting Kids on Social Media- What Parents Should Know
TODAY, Feb 10, 2026Top of Form
The article explains that many children and teens are encountering firearm content on social media and video platforms, often without their parents knowing, because algorithms can recommend videos and posts related to guns even when kids are not searching for them. This content can include “firearm influencers,” unsafe handling demonstrations, and marketing that frames guns as exciting or desirable, all of which may shape young people’s perceptions of guns and normalize risky behavior. Campaigners and researchers argue that this kind of exposure can reach children quickly after they start using social platforms and that platforms should be more transparent about what kids see and how it is recommended.
The guide part of the article focuses on what parents need to know and do: it urges caregivers to be proactive in understanding the type of gun-related content their children might encounter, to talk openly about it, and to use available tools like parental controls or monitoring features to limit exposure. Experts also suggest that simply forbidding access is not enough, parents should engage with their kids about why certain content can be harmful and help them think critically about online material. As always, we promote open and honest communication between students and parents.
Cell Phones to Be Banned in Michigan Classrooms
Detroit Free Press, February 10, 2026
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a new statewide law that will ban students from using smartphones during instructional time in K-12 public school classrooms starting in the 2026–27 school year. The legislation, passed with bipartisan support in the legislature, requires every school district to adopt policies that prohibit phone use while class is in session, though students can still bring phones to school and use them between classes or at lunch. Basic “flip phones” and medically necessary devices are exempt, and schools can implement even stricter rules if they choose.
The law is intended to reduce distractions, improve academic focus, and address concerns about high screen time and its effects on student learning and mental health. Local school districts retain control over enforcement details, and the policy includes exceptions for emergency communication and teacher-approved academic uses. Supporters argue the ban will help students engage more in lessons and reduce disruptions, while also aligning Michigan with a growing number of states adopting similar restrictions.
The Surging Online Risk to 13-Year-Olds Most Parents Aren’t Talking About
Newsweek, Feb 13, 2026
A recent national study of more than 3,400 U.S. adolescents ages 13–17 shows that sexting has become widespread, with nearly one-third of teens reporting they have received sexually suggestive images or videos and about one-in-four having sent them. Researchers found that sending explicit content to someone outside a committed relationship greatly increases the risk of harmful outcomes: those teens were over 13 times more likely to have their images shared without consent and nearly five times more likely to face sextortion, which is when someone threatens to distribute the images unless the victim sends more content, money, or complies with other demands. Requests for sexts were also common, with roughly 30 % of teens saying they had been asked to send explicit content, indicating that social pressure often drives these interactions rather than mutual choice.
The study highlighted troubling patterns among diverse groups: boys reported higher rates of sending and receiving sexts than girls, non-heterosexual teens experienced higher involvement and pressure, and younger teens, especially 13-year-olds, were particularly vulnerable to having content shared without permission. Nearly half of teens who had sent explicit images said they were later targeted with sextortion. Experts emphasize that simply telling teens “Don’t sext” is ineffective; instead, education should focus on consent, boundaries, digital privacy, and how to handle risky online situations, helping them navigate digital relationships safely and seek help if something goes wrong. We always discuss sextortion risks and dangers with our secondary students, as the FBI labeled this as the fastest growing crime online.
People Magazine, February 22, 2026
An 18-year-old senior at Peters Township High School in Pennsylvania has been charged with more than three hundred felony counts in connection with a large-scale sextortion and catfishing operation that targeted minors. Prosecutors allege the student, identified as Zachariah Abraham Meyers, used fake profiles on social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat, including posing as an adult woman, to contact boys between the ages of about 14 and 17. He reportedly tricked them into sending explicit images and videos and, in some cases, used threats to coerce further material or money by threatening to share the content with family and friends. At least twenty-one victims have been identified so far, and evidence from seized devices linked him directly to the alleged network.
According to authorities, Meyers’ alleged conduct was not limited to obtaining images: in some cases, he is accused of directing victims to produce sexually explicit recordings, including one involving adult men, and of exploiting his access to school environments. He is currently held without bail as investigators continue to analyze devices and determine the full scope of the scheme; the school district has stated that there is no ongoing threat to student safety while cooperating with law enforcement. At Cyber Safety Consulting, we always warn parents to monitor their children’s digital interactions and be vigilant about online enticement and exploitation.
Instagram To Alert Parents When Teens Search for Info on Suicide or Self-Harm
CBS News, February 26, 2026
Meta-owned Instagram announced it will start notifying parents if teenage users repeatedly search for terms related to suicide or self-harm on the platform. These alerts will be sent via email, text, WhatsApp, or an in-app notification, but only if parents are enrolled in Instagram’s parental supervision tools. Instagram said it already blocks such content for teens under eighteen and directs them to helplines and resources when they try to search for harmful terms.
The alerts are designed to give parents an early warning that their teen may be struggling, so they can intervene and offer support or resources for sensitive conversations about mental health. Meta specified that the alert will only trigger after a teen performs multiple related searches within a short timeframe, a threshold it set to reduce unnecessary notifications and avoid overwhelming parents.
This rollout begins next week in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with plans to expand to other regions later in 2026. The update comes as the company faces ongoing legal scrutiny and trials over how its platforms affect young users’ mental health, including claims about platform design and youth harm. Instagram’s teen safety enhancements also include prior content restrictions for minors and efforts to bolster parental controls.
