Law Enforcement Training
Law Enforcement in a Digital and Artificial Intelligence World: Youth, Technology, Social Media, Sexual Exploitation, and Mental Health
Details
This half-day or full-day training is designed for law enforcement professionals and is led by licensed and nationally certified counselor and founder of Shape the Sky, Ryan Klingensmith. The goal of this presentation is to help law enforcement better understand how youth navigate social media, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence—and how to provide informed guidance around responsible online behavior.
During this training, participants will identify categories of social networking, commonly used apps, and AI-driven technologies that law enforcement should be aware of when working with youth. The session focuses on awareness, evolving digital trends, and practical insight into how online behavior and AI-generated content are shaping today’s youth.
Description
Law enforcement today looks very different than it did just a few years ago. One reason is that youth are now deeply immersed in social media, digital platforms, and emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
While these tools can be useful, they can also expose youth to concerning content, risky behaviors, and access to illegal or developmentally inappropriate material. In this training session, we provide law enforcement professionals with the most up-to-date information on the current digital and AI-driven landscape, helping you understand what to look for and how to support responsible smartphone and online use among youth.
Note: this training doesn’t fulfill NBCC Credit Hours.
Learning Goals
- Participants will be able to identify how children and adolescents explore, consume, and share mental health–related information through technology and social media.
- Participants will learn what resources are available when discussing mental health in a digital environment.
- Participants will understand how law enforcement work with youth has changed in response to social media, smartphones, and evolving online behaviors.
- Participants will learn to recognize red flags associated with illegal online purchases and digital transactions.
- Participants will learn how youth may access the Dark Web and why it presents unique challenges for law enforcement.
- Participants will learn how youth can create or encounter deepfakes and deepnudes, including the role artificial intelligence plays in generating this content.
- Participants will understand current social media trends, apps, and platform features, and how they may negatively impact youth behavior and well-being.
- Participants will learn how to use Shape the Sky resources and tools to support healthy, safe, and responsible online behavior among youth.
- Participants will learn about resources available when responding to youth mental health concerns encountered through digital platforms.
Learning Topics
- How the world has changed for law enforcement
- Being a digital law enforcement professional
- Why kids don’t talk to adults about technology
- Understanding current youth culture
- Deep Web vs. Dark Web
- Accessing the Dark Web through apps and web browsers
- Understanding Deepfakes, Deepnudes and Deepporn
- Sextortion
- Revenge Porn
- Virtual Private Networks (VPN’s) and Proxy Servers
- Online grooming
- Age restrictions
- Cyberbullying resources
- Fake text messages
- “Parasite” websites
- Terms, images & language related to “parasite websites”
- Sharing private information & identity theft
- Hidden photo vaults
- Social media and drugs
- Digital Currency
- Mental health concerns such as eating disorders, self-harm and suicide
- Suicide prevention resources
- Digital Dating & Abuse
- Untraceable texting
- "Anonymous” apps
- How to start the conversation
- Prevention steps
- Monitoring services
- Using a Technology Contract
- Taking a social media pledge
- How to set expectations
- Access to online resources
Learn More About Ryan & Shape The Sky
Shape the Sky’s founder, Ryan Klingensmith, is a parent and licensed mental health professional who works regularly with children, adolescents, and young adults. Through his work, he gains firsthand insight into how smartphones, social media, and artificial intelligence influence youth behavior, development, and well-being. His experience and expertise allow Shape the Sky to provide relevant, reliable, and practical information in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Questions? We're Here To Help.
Do you have questions about our law enforcement training or other Shape the Sky training sessions? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re readily available to answer any questions.