How to Protect Our Kids From Predators with Matt Parker
Dec 25, 2023
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Matt Parker, co-founder of The Exodus Road, shares his journey of fighting human trafficking in Thailand and his work with the Thai Royal Police. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, investing in marriage, seeking healing from trauma, and protecting kids from online predators. His powerful message of resilience and personal growth shines through, reminding listeners that they can make a difference in the lives of others.
Being vulnerable and open with loved ones strengthens relationships.
Parents need to educate themselves and their children about online dangers and take necessary precautions.
Dealing with trauma is essential for individuals working to combat child exploitation.
Deep dives
The Dad Edge podcast focuses on fatherhood and changing the game.
The Dad Edge podcast aims to impact this generation and the next by creating strong leaders of men and families. The host, Larry Haggner, interviews guests who share their experiences and insights on various topics. In this episode, Larry interviews Matt Parker, who has been actively fighting child sex trafficking for the past decade. Matt and his wife founded the Exodus Road organization, which assists law enforcement in undercover investigations to rescue minors trapped in sex trafficking. Matt shares stories from his work and emphasizes the importance of protecting our children online.
Matt Parker's journey from running a children's home to undercover work against trafficking
Matt Parker, along with his wife, ran a children's home in Thailand before becoming involved in the fight against human trafficking. They noticed rumors of traffickers recruiting young girls to work in larger cities under false pretenses. Matt took on the task of learning more about human trafficking by working with the Thai royal police. Eventually, he went undercover to gather evidence and help rescue children from trafficking situations. Matt's work has resulted in the rescue of over 1,600 children and the arrest of over 2,500 perpetrators.
Protecting our children from online predators
Matt highlights the alarming fact that 74% of their cases at the Exodus Road began with some form of online exploitation. He mentions apps like Facebook, Twitter, Discord, and Snapchat, which are often used by predators to target vulnerable children. He emphasizes the need for education and awareness among parents and teenagers and the importance of tools like Bark to monitor online activity. Matt shares a heartbreaking example of how children can be manipulated and blackmailed. He emphasizes the urgency of protecting children and equipping them with the knowledge and resources to stay safe online.
Dealing with trauma and becoming a stronger advocate
The speaker discusses the importance of dealing with trauma and how it has shaped his journey in fighting against child sexual exploitation. He emphasizes the need for individuals to grow stronger, develop thicker skin, and have courage to step into dark alleys for the right reasons. He also highlights the role of fundraising and the personal growth it has brought him. The speaker shares that his main responsibility is to make the needs of victims known, rather than solely focusing on raising money. Overall, his experience running a global nonprofit has taught him the importance of resilience, patience, and empathy.
The impact of trauma and the need for digital safety
The speaker discusses the impact of trauma on individuals working to combat child exploitation and the importance of addressing and healing from trauma. He shares his own experience of seeking counseling and undergoing trauma therapy to manage anger and maintain his role as a father and husband. The speaker emphasizes the need for self-awareness and acknowledging the effects of trauma to prevent it from negatively impacting personal relationships. Additionally, he advocates for digital safety and the implementation of technology agreements with children to protect them from online predators and harmful content. He emphasizes the role of parents in fostering open conversations and establishing boundaries around technology use to create a safe and relationship-rich environment at home.
Matt Parker is the co-founder of The Exodus Road, a non-profit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking. He started his anti-trafficking efforts in Thailand in 2010, which led to the creation of the organization in 2012.
In this episode of The Dad Edge podcast, host Larry Hagner interviews Matt Parker, the co-founder of The Exodus Road. Matt Parker shares his journey from running a children's home in Thailand to becoming an undercover operative working with the Thai Royal Police to rescue victims of trafficking.
Matt Parker discusses the importance of being vulnerable and open with his wife and children about the challenges he faces in his work, and how it has strengthened their relationships. Matt also emphasizes the need for couples to invest in their marriage through date nights, counseling, and open communication.
He then shares insights on trauma and the importance of seeking help and healing, as well as the impact of online exploitation on children and the steps parents can take to protect their kids. Throughout the episode, Matt's message of resilience, growth, and the power of vulnerability shines through.
Matt's story serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of darkness, we can find strength and make a difference in the lives of others. He encourages listeners to redefine success as personal growth and improvement, rather than striving for perfection.