Operation Light Shine

08/22/2026

It was truly an honor to have Brandon Guffey with us and give him the opportunity to share Gavin’s story. We’re incredibly grateful for Brandon’s time, his heart, and his courage to turn unimaginable loss into a mission to protect other children and families.

Stories like Gavin’s are a reminder of why this fight matters and why the work cannot stop at awareness. At Operation Light Shine, our mission is to turn that awareness into action by educating families, empowering law enforcement, and providing investigators with the resources and technology they need to identify victims and hold offenders accountable.

Brandon, thank you for trusting us with Gavin’s story and for standing alongside us in this fight. We can’t wait to share this powerful conversation with everyone next month. Together, we can shine a light of hope and help protect more kids.

08/21/2026

08/20/2026

4 things to do tonight before your child goes to bed!

A few simple steps that can help give kids a break from the pressure of always being connected.

1. Set a phone cutoff time.
Choose a time each night when phones, tablets, and other devices are put away.

2. Turn on Do Not Disturb.
Silence late-night notifications so your child isn’t lying awake wondering what they’re missing, who’s texting, or what’s happening in the group chat without them.

3. Create a common charging spot.
Instead of devices going into the bedroom, have them charge overnight in your room, the kitchen, or another common area.

4. Make it a routine, not a punishment.
Explain why the boundary exists. Kids are naturally curious, and having devices within reach can make it harder to disconnect.

The goal isn’t to take something away. It’s to give their minds a chance to rest and reset.

And parents, this doesn’t have to be complicated.
Pick a time. Pick a charging spot. Put the devices away.

Sometimes protecting our kids starts with one simple household rule.

Save this for tonight and share it with another parent who might need the reminder!

08/19/2026

Keeping up with every app, update and privacy setting can feel like a lot. That's where we come in. 📱

At Operation Light Shine, we help parents stay informed about the apps their children want and use, including how predators may use those apps to reach them online.

You don't have to know everything.
You just need to know what to look for, what questions to ask and what options are available.

Save this as a resource and share it with another parent who could use it.

08/14/2026

Justice doesn't end with an arrest.

It continues through every investigation, every piece of evidence, every courtroom, and every conviction.

These recent sentences are a reminder that protecting children also means holding those who exploit them accountable.

Operation Light Shine is proud to support our INTERCEPT Task Forces and law enforcement partners as they work tirelessly to pursue justice for victims of child exploitation.

Every conviction sends a clear message: those who exploit children will be held accountable.

08/13/2026

Online risks don’t only affect “other kids.”

They can reach any child with access to a phone, tablet, gaming system, social media account, or internet connection.

And as kids grow, the risks can change. What a 7-year-old may encounter online can look very different from what a 13- or 17-year-old may face.

That’s why prevention starts with knowing what to look for.

Swipe through to see some of the top online risks by age, where they may show up, and simple steps parents can take to help reduce them.

You don’t have to know everything about every app. Start by checking the settings on the platforms your child uses, staying involved in their online world, and reminding them they can always come to you, even if they’ve made a mistake.

It can happen to any child. Awareness helps you be ready before it does.

08/12/2026

If something feels wrong, report it.

You don’t need to have all the answers or wait until a situation gets worse before speaking up.
Students and parents can report concerns to a School Resource Officer or Deputy, school administration, or local law enforcement. Concerns involving child exploitation can also be reported to the NCMEC CyberTipline, including anonymously.

It’s important to remember that anyone under the age of 18 is still a child and may need an adult to step in, listen, and help.

Sometimes, a child may be afraid to speak up because they participated in something, made a mistake, or fear getting in trouble. That fear should never keep them from asking for help.

Let the appropriate professionals determine what happens next. The priority is making sure the situation is reported and the child gets the help they may need.

08/11/2026

As a survivor of human trafficking and a mom, Alina Donahue knows firsthand how important communication can be when it comes to protecting children.

One of the biggest things she emphasizes with her own children is simple: talk TO them, not AT them.

Especially when it comes to online safety, simply saying “no” isn’t always enough. Explaining why an app may not be safe, why certain boundaries are in place, and why parents are asking questions helps children better understand the risks behind those decisions.

When children feel like they’re part of the conversation, they’re more likely to listen, ask questions, and most importantly, feel comfortable coming to you when something doesn’t feel right.

Prevention doesn’t have to start with fear. It can start with a conversation.

08/10/2026

A new school year often means new devices, new apps, and more time online.

If you’re giving your child a phone or table take a few minutes to protect it before handing it over.

Turn on parental controls. Set boundaries. Know what apps they’re using. And most importantly, keep the conversation about online safety going.

You don’t have to know everything about technology to take the first step.

As Lt. Wade Williams reminds parents, "Do something rather than nothing."

Prevention starts before they log on. 💙

08/08/2026

As kids head back to school, it’s also time for parents to brush up on the language that helps protect children.

One important place to start is with the words we use.

You may have heard the term “child pornography,” but as we continue educating and protecting our children, it’s important to call it what it is: Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

Words matter because children cannot content. These files document the sexual abuse of real children, many under the age of 12, with countless victims just 4 to 6 years old.

The more parents understand today’s threats, the better equipped they are to recognize the risks and protect their children.

This back-to-school season, let’s make child safety part of the conversation!