‘I’m an IT expert and this is one setting I’d change on my kid’s iPhone’

During an episode of his podcast 'Family IT Guy,' Gillenwater explained: “An internet-connected camera is very dangerous.

“It is the primary tool that predators use to extort children on the internet. This is a global situation.”

It is reportedly one of the fastest-growing cyber crimes used by predators, self-harm groups and criminal networks.

Criminals use the camera to form contact with children and then blackmail them by developing relationships with them and asking them for photos.

You can disconnect their camera from the internet and they can still use it to take photos. Simply search for a step-by-step guide for your child's specific phone make and model.

If parents choose to leave their child’s phone camera turned on in all capacities, Gillenwater recommends implementing a rule that devices never enter private areas, like bedrooms or bathrooms, and are only used in the kitchen and living room.

@family.it.guy One setting I’d change on a kid’s iPhone? Turn off the camera. Here’s why: predators can pose as another kid, build trust, ask for an intimate photo, then use it to threaten and blackmail them. That’s sextortion. If your kid loves photography, give them an offline camera. They can still take pictures without an internet connection. Keeping the phone’s camera on? Start with this house rule: no devices in bedrooms or bathrooms. Keep them in shared spaces and charge them outside bedrooms overnight. Tap the link in my bio for my iPhone Parental Controls Masterclass. I’ll walk you through the settings step by step. #parenting #onlinesafety #digitalparenting #familyitguy ♬ original sound - Ben Gillenwater