Family IT Guy Podcast
Ben Gillenwater helps families protect children from digital dangers, bringing 30 years of cybersecurity expertise to the parenting journey. His background includes working with the NSA and serving as Chief Technologist of a $10 billion IT company, where he built global-scale systems and understood technology's risks at every level.
His mission began when he gave his young son an iPad with "kid-safe" apps—only to discover inappropriate content days later. Despite his deep technical background, Ben realized that if protecting children online was challenging for him, it must be even more difficult for parents without his expertise.
Through Family IT Guy, Ben creates videos and articles that help parents and kids learn how to leverage the positive parts of the internet while avoiding the dangerous and risky parts. His approach bridges the knowledge gap between complex technology and practical family protection, making digital safety accessible to everyone.
Listen on:
Episodes
Friday Aug 08, 2025
Friday Aug 08, 2025
Your child's app addiction isn't accidental—it's engineered. Former NSA cybersecurity expert explains the "bottomless feed" design that creates chemical addiction in developing brains.
In this 2-minute breakdown, discover:
- What bottomless feeds actually are (0:00)
- The hidden business model keeping kids hooked (0:26)
- Why it's literally "digital drugs" with real brain chemistry (0:45)
- The doom scrolling trap adults fall into (1:17)
- How to protect your family starting today (1:36)
As a parent myself, I've watched my own kids struggle with these intentionally addictive designs. After 30 years in cybersecurity, including NSA work, I'm sharing what every parent needs to know about algorithms.
Visit FamilyITGuy.com and search "algorithm" for step-by-step guides to protect your family. No tech expertise required.
#DigitalParenting #ScreenTime #KidsAndTechnology #ParentingTips #DigitalWellbeing
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
The Family IT Guy team discusses:
- Why they're doing this work
- Critical safety issues
- Parenting in the digital age
- Solutions and Future Plans
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
This interview could save your child's life.
Officer Gomez, a school resource police officer with 12+ years experience and an engineering background, reveals the shocking reality of online child predation. In one summer, he arrested 14 predators attempting to meet children - and says they could arrest 14 EVERY SINGLE DAY.
MOST SHOCKING REVELATIONS:
- 4th and 5th graders are already sending nude photos
- 100% of boys WILL be targeted by sextortion scams
- 18 boys have taken their lives from these scams in the past 2 years
- Predators aren't who you think - many are attractive teens
- "By lunchtime it'll be someone else's picture" - the new normal
KEY TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
07:05 - "By Lunchtime" - The Normalization of Nude Photos
18:11 - Elementary School Kids Sending Nudes
26:45 - 14 Predators Arrested in 10 Weeks
29:25 - Why Predators Target Roblox
31:09 - Young, Attractive Predators
35:32 - How Biology Defeats Boys' Judgment
37:49 - 100% of Boys Will Face Sextortion
39:09 - Teen Suicide Statistics
40:38 - Friday Night Tribal Council Solution
44:38 - The 200 Friend Rule
CRITICAL TOPICS COVERED:
✓ The 4-step predator playbook
✓ How to make your kids "hard targets"
✓ What to do if your child is being sextorted
✓ Why Roblox and gaming platforms are hunting grounds
✓ The conversation you MUST have tonight
WHO IS OFFICER GOMEZ:
- School Resource Officer in Idaho
- Electronics Engineering degree
- Works with Idaho Crimes Against Children Task Force
- National speaker on digital safety
- Tracks predator tactics through fake accounts
PARENT ACTION ITEMS:
- Watch this entire interview
- Have "the naked picture scam" talk with your sons TONIGHT
- Implement the 200 friend rule
- Start Friday family discussions about online safety
Share this episode - it could save a child's life.