In this week’s Talking Tech segment, we explored a growing concern that many parents may not even realize exists — the hidden dangers lurking in the chat features of popular online games.
To help shed light on this issue, we spoke with Tom Arnold, a former law enforcement officer and cyber education instructor, who recently authored a new book titled Digital Detective. Aimed at kids ages 9 and up, the book follows two young sleuths as they learn how to navigate the digital world safely. But this isn’t just a fictional adventure — it’s a much-needed conversation starter for families about online predators, scams, and the often-overlooked loopholes in today’s tech.
“Giving a child a smartphone or tablet while we’re distracted is like letting them play alone at a park with strangers,” Tom warns. “We wouldn’t do that in the real world — so why do we do it online?”
Arnold wrote Digital Detective after years of seeing just how vulnerable kids can be online, especially through in-game messaging systems. These systems are often lightly moderated — if at all — and can serve as entry points for individuals with malicious intent. While parental controls and device monitoring can go a long way, they’re not foolproof. According to Tom, the first line of defense is open and ongoing conversation.
During the segment, I shared a recent personal experience that reinforces this point. While testing out a seemingly innocent mobile game, I received an unsolicited message urging me to “continue the conversation” on a different social media platform — a classic tactic used by online predators to isolate and exploit potential victims. If it can happen to an adult, it can certainly happen to a child.
Tom’s advice? Make digital safety a part of regular parenting conversations. Teach children to recognize red flags, understand the risks, and feel safe coming to you if something doesn’t seem right. Digital Detective is a great tool to start that journey.
You can find the book now on Amazon and AppleBooks, and the full interview with Tom Arnold is available on our main website TechtalkRadio.com.
Top Tips for Parents
- Monitor the games your kids are playing — especially those with chat features.
- Talk early and often about online safety.
- Encourage kids to report suspicious behavior or messages.
- Use parental control tools — but don’t rely on them alone.
- Remind kids: never share personal info or photos with strangers online.
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