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Making Summer Fun—and Safe—in the Digital Age
Summer is a season kids look forward to all year. School is out, schedules are lighter, and long days create opportunities for fun, exploration, and independence. But for many parents, summer also brings a new challenge: managing increased screen time and the digital risks that come with it.

With fewer structured activities and more unsupervised hours, children and teens often spend significantly more time online during the summer months. Whether they’re gaming, scrolling social media, watching videos, or chatting with friends, that increased online activity can expose them to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, scams, privacy risks, and even online predators.

The good news is that families can take practical steps to reduce these risks while helping kids enjoy a safe, engaging, and memorable summer.

Why Summer Increases Digital Risks
When school is in session, much of a child’s day is structured and supervised. During summer break, many kids gain extra freedom online. More time connected means more opportunities to encounter:

Inappropriate or explicit content
Cyberbullying and online harassment
Phishing scams and fraudulent messages
Privacy and oversharing concerns
Sextortion and exploitation schemes
Online predators posing as peers
Predators often seek out young people on social media platforms, gaming communities, messaging apps, and other online spaces where kids gather. They may build trust over time before attempting to manipulate or exploit a child.

Protecting Devices from Predators and Inappropriate Content
Technology can be a valuable tool when used safely. Consider these strategies to help protect your children online:

1. Enable Parental Controls
Most devices, gaming systems, streaming services, and internet providers offer parental control settings that can:

Block inappropriate websites
Restrict app downloads
Limit purchases
Filter search results
Set screen-time limits
Review these settings regularly as your child grows and their online habits change.

2. Use Content Filtering Software
Install trusted filtering and monitoring tools that help block explicit content and alert parents to potentially dangerous online activity. While no filter is perfect, they provide an important layer of protection.

3. Keep Devices in Shared Spaces
Whenever possible, encourage younger children to use computers, tablets, and gaming systems in common areas of the home rather than behind closed doors.

4. Monitor Privacy Settings
Help your children:

Set social media accounts to private
Limit who can contact them
Disable location sharing when unnecessary
Avoid posting personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, or vacation plans
5. Teach the “Never Share” Rule
Kids should never share:

Home addresses
School information
Phone numbers
Passwords
Financial information
Personal photos with strangers
Remind them that people online are not always who they claim to be.

6. Know the Apps They Use
Take time to familiarize yourself with the apps, games, and platforms your children use. Understand how messaging works, what privacy settings are available, and whether strangers can contact them.

7. Have Ongoing Conversations
The most effective safety tool isn’t an app—it’s communication. Make online safety a regular conversation rather than a one-time lecture. Encourage your child to tell you if something online makes them uncomfortable, confused, or scared.

Helping Teens Stay Busy Without Screens
One of the best ways to reduce digital risks is to give teens meaningful alternatives. While screens are a part of modern life, summer can also be an opportunity to explore interests, build skills, and create real-world connections.

Volunteer in the Community
Teens can:

Help at food pantries
Assist with community events
Support local nonprofit organizations
Participate in neighborhood cleanups
Volunteering builds confidence, responsibility, and leadership skills while strengthening community connections.

Find a Summer Job
Part-time employment provides:

Work experience
Financial responsibility
Time management skills
Opportunities to meet new people
Even a few hours each week can significantly reduce idle screen time.

Explore the Outdoors
Encourage activities such as:

Hiking
Fishing
Biking
Camping
Geocaching
Gardening
Outdoor activities promote physical and mental well-being while providing a healthy break from technology.

Learn a New Skill
Summer is a great time for teens to:

Learn photography
Cook new recipes
Play an instrument
Build model projects
Practice woodworking
Learn basic car maintenance
Take an art class
Join Community Programs
Look for:

Library programs
Sports leagues
Recreation department activities
Youth groups
Faith-based programs
Community theater productions
Structured activities provide supervision, social interaction, and opportunities for growth.

Create a Summer Challenge
Families can create goals such as:

Reading 10 books
Visiting local parks
Learning a new hobby
Completing a service project
Trying a new activity each week
Encourage Face-to-Face Friendships
Help teens organize:

Pick-up sports
Board game nights
Bonfires
Group hikes
Community events
Strong in-person relationships can reduce reliance on social media for connection.

A Balanced Approach
Technology isn’t the enemy. It helps us learn, connect, and entertain ourselves. The goal isn’t to eliminate screens entirely but to create a healthy balance between online and offline activities.

By combining open communication, smart device safeguards, and engaging real-world opportunities, parents can help children enjoy the freedom of summer while staying safe from digital risks.

This summer, let’s make screen time safer, conversations stronger, and memories bigger than what can fit on a phone screen.

Quick Summer Safety Checklist

☐ Enable parental controls on devices
☐ Review privacy settings on social media
☐ Talk regularly about online safety
☐ Keep younger children’s devices in common areas
☐ Establish screen-time expectations
☐ Plan screen-free activities each week
☐ Encourage volunteering, work, or community involvement
☐ Create opportunities for face-to-face social interaction
☐ Teach kids how to recognize scams and suspicious behavior
☐ Remind children that they can always come to a trusted adult for help

Below I’ve linked another website that contains valuable information on this particular topic.

www.protectyoungeyes.com/

A safe summer starts with awareness, communication, and balance. ... See MoreSee Less

To all our men and women in law enforcement, this week and every week, thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

Artificial Intelligence and Fraud: How Scammers Are Using AI and How You Can Protect Yourself
Technology has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate. Unfortunately, it has also transformed the way criminals scam people. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now being used by fraudsters to make scams faster, more convincing, and harder to detect than ever before.

While scams themselves are not new, AI allows criminals to automate deception, imitate real people, and manipulate victims with alarming accuracy. From cloned voices to fake videos and sophisticated phishing messages, AI-enabled fraud is becoming one of the fastest-growing threats facing individuals, businesses, and communities today.

Why AI Makes Fraud More Dangerous
Artificial intelligence gives scammers tools that dramatically increase the effectiveness of traditional fraud schemes. AI can:

Generate realistic emails and text messages
Clone voices using only a few seconds of audio
Create fake images and videos (“deepfakes”)
Personalize scams using information gathered online
Automate large-scale attacks targeting thousands of people at once
These technologies make scams appear more believable because they often imitate trusted people, organizations, or situations.

For example, someone may receive:

A phone call that sounds exactly like a family member asking for emergency money
A video appearing to show a trusted public figure endorsing an investment
A text message pretending to be from a bank or employer
An email with perfect grammar and branding that looks completely legitimate
The goal is always the same: to steal money, personal information, or access to accounts.

Common Types of AI-Enhanced Scams:

1. Investment Scams
Investment scams remain one of the most financially damaging forms of fraud. AI tools allow scammers to create convincing fake websites, social media advertisements, testimonials, and even fabricated financial experts.

Fraudsters may:

Promise guaranteed returns
Use fake celebrity endorsements
Show fabricated investment growth charts
Create AI-generated videos promoting fake opportunities
These scams often pressure victims to act quickly before “missing out.”

Warning Signs
Guaranteed profits with little or no risk
Requests for cryptocurrency payments
Pressure to invest immediately
Unlicensed or unverifiable companies

2. Business Email Compromise (BEC) and Phishing
AI has made phishing attacks far more sophisticated. Scam emails now sound professional, personalized, and free of obvious spelling or grammar mistakes.

In business settings, criminals may impersonate:

Executives
Vendors
Coworkers
Human resources departments
They often request:

Wire transfers
Gift card purchases
Payroll changes
Login credentials
Warning Signs
Urgent requests involving money
Slightly altered email addresses
Unexpected attachments or links
Requests to bypass normal procedures

3. Tech Support Scams
Scammers use AI chat systems and spoofed phone numbers to convince people their computers or accounts have been compromised.

Victims may see:

Fake virus alerts
Pop-up warnings
Calls claiming to be from technology companies
Once trust is gained, scammers may ask for:

Remote access to devices
Credit card payments
Passwords or personal information
Warning Signs
Unsolicited tech support calls
Demands for immediate payment
Requests for remote computer access
Claims your device is infected before any diagnosis

4. Impersonation and Voice Cloning
One of the most alarming uses of AI is voice cloning. In some cases, scammers only need a few seconds of audio from social media videos or voicemail greetings to imitate a person’s voice.

Victims may receive calls from someone sounding exactly like:

A child
A grandchild
A coworker
A friend
The caller may claim:

They were arrested
They were in an accident
They need emergency money immediately
How to Protect Yourself
Create a family password or “safe word” that only trusted family members know. If you receive a suspicious emergency call, ask for the password before taking any action.

5. Romance Scams
AI-generated photos, videos, and messages are helping scammers build fake online relationships faster than ever before.

Scammers may spend weeks or months gaining trust before asking for:

Money
Gift cards
Cryptocurrency
Financial account access
AI allows criminals to maintain multiple fake identities simultaneously, making romance scams increasingly common and emotionally devastating.

Warning Signs
Refusal to meet in person
Constant excuses
Requests for financial help
Relationships progressing unusually fast
6. Text Phishing (“Smishing”)
Text scams have become highly personalized using AI-generated messaging.

Examples include:

Fake delivery notifications
Banking alerts
Toll payment requests
Security warnings
These messages often contain links designed to steal login information or install malware.

Warning Signs
Unexpected texts requesting immediate action
Suspicious links
Requests for account verification
Messages creating panic or urgency
How to Protect Yourself from AI-Driven Fraud
1. Limit What You Share Online
Scammers collect information from social media profiles, videos, and public posts.

Avoid sharing:

Personal schedules
Travel plans
Financial information
Excessive voice or video recordings
Sensitive family details
The less information available publicly, the harder it becomes for scammers to imitate or manipulate you.

2. Verify Before You Trust
Never rely solely on:

Caller ID
Email appearance
Familiar voices
Video footage
Instead:

Call the person back using a trusted number
Contact organizations directly
Verify requests through separate communication channels
3. Watch for Emotional Manipulation
Scammers succeed by creating:

Fear
Urgency
Excitement
Sympathy
Pause before acting on emotional requests involving money or personal information.

4. Look Closely at Videos and Images
AI-generated media can still contain subtle imperfections.

Watch for:

Unnatural blinking
Odd facial movements
Audio delays
Distorted backgrounds
Unnatural speech patterns
As technology improves, these clues may become harder to spot, making verification even more important.

5. Use Strong Security Practices
Protect accounts by:

Using strong, unique passwords
Enabling multi-factor authentication
Updating devices regularly
Monitoring financial statements
Using password managers
6. Talk with Family Members
Education is one of the strongest defenses against fraud.

Discuss:

Voice-cloning scams
Emergency verification plans
Online safety
Financial fraud warning signs
Older adults, teenagers, and first-time internet users are often heavily targeted.

What To Do If You Suspect a Scam
If you believe you’ve encountered fraud:

Stop communication immediately
Do not send money or personal information
Contact your bank or financial institution
Change compromised passwords
Report the incident to local law enforcement or fraud reporting agencies
Warn friends and family if your accounts may have been compromised
Quick action can reduce financial damage and help prevent others from becoming victims.

Communities Working Together Against Fraud
Public awareness is one of the most effective ways to combat scams. Community organizations, law enforcement agencies, schools, and local leaders all play a role in educating residents about evolving fraud tactics.

Programs focused on community safety and fraud prevention help people:

Recognize warning signs
Learn digital safety skills
Stay informed about emerging threats
Build stronger connections between residents and local organizations
As AI technology continues to evolve, education and awareness will remain essential tools in protecting individuals and communities from fraud.

Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence is changing the fraud landscape rapidly. Scammers are becoming more convincing, more organized, and more difficult to identify. However, awareness, verification, and strong digital habits can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim. ... See MoreSee Less

Don’t Fall for the Dream: How Lottery Scams Are Impacting Iowans
Winning the lottery is something many of us have imagined at one point or another. A surprise windfall, financial freedom, and the ability to help loved ones—it’s an exciting thought. Unfortunately, scammers know this too, and they use that dream to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals.

Between 2020 and 2025, Iowans reported losing over $5.2 million to lottery scams, with the majority of victims being age 65 and older. These scams are not just numbers—they represent real people, real savings, and real hardship.

How Lottery Scams Work
Lottery scams are designed to feel exciting and urgent. You may receive a phone call, text message, email, or even a social media message claiming that you’ve won a large prize. The message often looks official and may even include fake logos or documents to appear legitimate.

But there’s a catch—there always is.

Before you can “claim” your winnings, the scammer will ask you to:

Pay a fee (for taxes, processing, or delivery)
Provide personal or financial information
Click a link and enter sensitive details
In reality, there is no prize. Once you send money or share information, it’s often gone for good.

Red Flags to Watch For
Understanding the warning signs is one of the most powerful ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. It seems too good to be true
If you didn’t enter a lottery, you didn’t win one. Legitimate lotteries do not randomly select winners who never participated.

2. You’re asked to pay to claim a prize
This is one of the biggest red flags. Real lotteries deduct taxes from winnings—they don’t require upfront payments.

3. Requests for personal information
Scammers often try to collect Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords under the guise of “verification.”

4. Pressure to act quickly
Scammers create urgency so you don’t have time to think or verify the claim.

What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do
If you receive a message about a lottery win, take a moment to pause and evaluate before responding.

Do NOT:

Send money to claim a prize
Share financial or personal information
Click on suspicious links
Respond to unsolicited messages
Do:

Talk to a trusted friend or family member
Verify the information through official sources
Report the scam to local authorities or consumer protection agencies
Why Older Adults Are Often Targeted
Scammers frequently target older adults because they are more likely to have savings, own their homes, and be trusting of official-looking communications. Additionally, scammers may assume older individuals are less familiar with digital fraud tactics.

That’s why it’s so important for families and communities to have open conversations about scams. A simple discussion can prevent a devastating loss.

Building a Safer Community Together
The Safe Communities Coalition of Fort Dodge and Webster County is committed to raising awareness and helping residents stay informed. Education is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent scams and protect one another.

By learning the signs and sharing this information, you can help stop scams before they start.

Because when it comes to protecting our community, awareness isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. ... See MoreSee Less