Speak Up, Stay Safe: Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO on Protecting Kids

Rania Mankarious, CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston and author of "The Online World: What You Think You Know and What You Don’t," shares urgent lessons from decades of public safety work. Her message: kids today are growing up in a completely different world, and silence is not an option. From school threats to the dangers of AI chatbots posing as “friends,” Rania explains why students are the first line of defense and why parents can’t afford to play tech whack-a-mole. She offers a hopeful path forward: equip kids to speak up, set boundaries, and build trust that keeps them safe online and off. In this episode of The Tech Translator Podcast by Parent ProTech, you’ll hear: Why “Speak Up, Stay Safe” is more than a slogan How school threats (even as “jokes”) carry life-altering consequences The debate over phones in schools and what it means for safety and connection Why chasing every new app is a losing game, and what works instead If you’re a parent, educator, or leader worried about kids’ safety in today’s digital world, this conversation will give you clarity, courage, and next steps.