John O’Leary welcomes Ben Tracy to the Live Inspired Podcast to share about his run across America, how it’s shining a light on the dangers of social media and discuss solutions for safeguarding our youth.
Ben Tracy is an online safety speaker on a 120-day journey across America, known as The Tracy Trek—a 3,107-mile coast-to-coast run to protect kids online. Running a marathon every single day, Ben is connecting with schools, community groups, and lawmakers to shine a light on the dangers of social media and discuss solutions for safeguarding our youth.
Today, Ben shares how losing a high-profile job on his first day due to social media posts he made as a teenager sparked his mission. Plus, he shares stories of families impacted by online risks, urging all of us to work together to protect the next generation from hidden dangers.
My friends, Ben’s journey sends a powerful message: no matter the adversity we face, we can transform it into something positive.
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SHOW NOTES:
- On August 17 and 2,100 miles ago in San Francisco, Ben started his run across America, a feat that only 400 other individuals have completed. Ben is doing the run to raise awareness about youth online safety.
- At 23 years old, Ben was fired on his first day working for the former governor of Illinois after inappropriate tweets from years prior resurfaced. In sharing his story, he learned that having your picture on the front page of the newspaper is actually far from the worst thing that can happen because of social media.
- Shocking statistics about youth online safety: According to the FBI, there are half a million online predators active every single day. The Colorado Attorney General say it’s as easy for kids today to get fentanyl on social media order a pizza or to call an Uber.
- “I feel a lot of pressure to finish this run across the country because in a way I’m carrying their legacy and memory on my shoulders as I do this.”
- The parents are the problem. If parents are spending hours a day on devices being unkind to others, we can’t be shocked when their kids imitate their behavior.
- “A smartphone is an adult tool in the hands, hearts and minds of a child.”
- Ben encourages parents to refrain from allowing a child to have a cell phone before 14 years old and on social media until 15 and have parental restrictions in place.
- TikTok is a negative, confusing scenario that plays out over time whereas SnapChat is where something awful happens quickly that is life-changing in the matter of minutes or hours.
- While running across the country, Ben is traveling on a bus with the names of 11 children who have lost their lives because of social media.
- One individual is the son of Live Inspired Podcast guest Chris Didier. At 17 years old, Zach Didier was an outstanding student and athlete involved in school and his community when he was sold fentanyl disguised as a Percocet through SnapChat. Listen to Chris Didier on ep. 576.
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
If you found today’s conversation meaningful and want to continue learning how to protect our children online, listen to Tina Meier. Tina’s life changed on October 16, 2006 when her 13-year-old daughter Megan took her own life following a cruel cyberbullying hoax. On a mission to support and inspire actions to end bullying, cyberbullying and suicide since Megan’s death, Tina founded Megan Meier Foundation. By empowering our society to celebrate individuality and the acceptance of others, Tina believes we can work together to make a difference and create a safer and kinder world. Listen to Tina Meier on ep. 506.
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BEN TRACY'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A.The bravery and courage to try new things.
- Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A.A book of photo's from my grandfather's life.
- Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A.Jesus and my grandfather.
- Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A.When you get to the other side, make sure you stop and look back.
- Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A.I wouldn't give advice. I'm happy with the way things have turned out.
- Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. He showed up for the things and people that mattered.
