Webinars
Unintended Consequences: A.I. and Human Trafficking
August 13, 2025
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way we engage with technology, bringing both innovation and danger—especially for young people. While research has documented a negative association with social media, youth mental health, substance use, and online exploitation, the risks posed by AI are even more urgent and far less understood. This webinar will explore how growing up with technology, specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media, has worsened the youth loneliness epidemic, contributed to the mental health crisis, and helped facilitate issues like human trafficking. Our session will delve into the role of AI generated algorithms, AI chatbots and companions, and AI-generated images in shaping the experiences of young people. As AI-powered tools and companions become more widespread, young people must ensure they still experience human connection. How can we use technology as a tool to alleviate these issues and use it to build pro-social technology? Participants will better understand the link between AI technology and these social challenges and walk away with concrete community-specific strategies and policy solutions for addressing them in the community and in their personal relationships with young people.
The presenter is Rikki Barton, CEO/Lead Consultant with Onward Consulting, LLC. She has worked in the substance use and suicide prevention field for since 2009 and has actively volunteered with the
Stand Against Trafficking Coalition since 2012.​​​
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Stand in the Social Media Gap:
Helping Youth Navigate the Online Environment
August 1, 2024
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There are a lot of bright spots to social media - it connects us, makes us laugh, introduces us to new ideas, and provides support. But there is a dark side that creates a toxic combination for youth, revealing vulnerabilities which can lead to drug use, mental health challenges, online grooming, and human trafficking. This webinar, offered by Stand Against Trafficking Coalition, will explore those vulnerabilities and discuss the importance of having trusted adults to confide in and talk to about their online experiences. Participants will learn specifically what puts youth at higher risk, identify various protective factors that buffer the risk factors, and develop skills to have conversations with youth about the dangers of social media in order to improve the choices, mental health and wellbeing of youth in their life.
*NOTE* Updated content from webinar below.
The presenter is Rikki Barton, CEO/Lead Consultant with Onward Consulting, LLC. She has worked in the substance use and suicide prevention field since 2009 and has actively volunteered with the
Stand Against Trafficking Coalition since 2012.​​​
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A Toxic Combo for Youth: Drugs, Human Trafficking,
Social Media, and Mental Health
May 11, 2023
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This webinar provides facts about the current state of youth drug use,
social media use, mental health, and human trafficking risk, then discusses the dark side of when these 4 topics create a toxic combination for our youth. It concludes with ways we, as adults, can reduce risk factors and increase protective factors with the young people in our lives in order
to make a difference in these 4 areas.
The presenter is Rikki Barton, CEO/Lead Consultant with Onward Consulting, LLC. She has worked in the substance use and suicide prevention field since 2009 and has actively volunteered with the
Stand Against Trafficking Coalition since 2012.
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More Than Meets The Eye
January 21, 2021
Technology is not the enemy. But the reality is that our kid’s vulnerabilities can and are being exploited online. The worst-case scenarios have led to the crime of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). This presentation is designed to impact your personal and professional life. An appropriate image and three words have the power to change your perspective. Together we will become increasingly educated and empowered for the sake of students we care about.
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The presenter is Russ Tuttle, the founder and president of the Stop Trafficking Project. Russ is also the creator and director of BeAlert, which is the prevention and awareness strategy of the Stop Trafficking Project.
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