Why are foster and adopted kids prime targets for online traffickers, and what does screen time have to do with it? Drawing on current research into how a "phone-based childhood" triggers anxiety and fragments attention, this session looks at what happens when smartphones hijack a teenager's brain. We will break down the dopamine loops that drive compulsive scrolling, wreck sleep, and fuel the current youth mental health crisis.

More importantly, this session connects these tech trends to the intersection of early childhood trauma and risks of human trafficking. This breakout unpacks the mechanics of digital grooming—including tactics like isolation and trauma bonding—and provides practical strategies to protect children while maintaining a strong supportive relationship.