Protecting Children from Online Exploitation with Haley McNamara

Peter Gentala sits down with Haley McNamara, Executive Director and Chief Strategy Officer of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, to discuss how families, lawmakers, and institutions can better protect children from online exploitation.They cover the role of Big Tech, the limits of current law, the fight over Section 230, recent legal victories against social media companies, Arizona’s work to strengthen accountability for sex buyers, and new parent resources from NCOSE. In this episodeWhy NCOSE focuses on institutions that enable exploitationHow social media platforms expose children to grooming, sextortion, and traffickingWhat families should know about Section 230The ongoing legal fight involving X, formerly TwitterRecent jury verdicts against major technology companiesWhy Arizona is focusing on accountability for sex buyersHow parents can better protect children onlineGuestHaley McNamaraExecutive Director and Chief Strategy OfficerNational Center on Sexual ExploitationResourcesNational Center on Sexual Exploitation - https://endsexualexploitation.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com2026 Dirty Dozen List - https://endsexualexploitation.org/dirty-dozen-list-2026/NCOSE Parent Center - https://endsexualexploitation.org/parent-center-sign-up/National Center for Missing & Exploited Children - https://www.missingkids.org/homeSection 230 of the Communications Decency Act - https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/230Key takeawayProtecting children online cannot fall on parents alone. It requires stronger laws, better corporate accountability, and practical tools that help families respond before exploitation happens.