Is the way we interact on social media inadvertently exposing us to unseen dangers? This was the critical issue dissected during a recent episode of the podcast "Hidden Killers" with Tony Brueski, where retired FBI Special Agent and Chief of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, Robin Dreeke, shared his insights.
 
 Steve Gonsalves, a grieving father seeking justice for his daughter's tragic death, recently revealed that Bryan Koberger, the accused in the case, might have been tracking victims, including Maddie Mogen, on social media platforms. Slater County Sheriff Richard Skiles confirmed that Koberger had interacted with Mogen's Instagram posts. Although the true nature and depth of this interaction remain elusive, the discussion pivoted to the broader, and often unspoken, risks inherent to social media.
 
 Dreeke commented on the fine line between stalking and merely observing on platforms like Instagram. "Stalking is a powerful word... it's not stalking, according to the technical terms... it's a lot more than this. But targeted? Yes," Dreeke clarified. The insidiousness of being "targeted" was emphasized. Users may unknowingly be on someone's radar, not as admirers but as subjects of a far darker interest.
 
 The conversation shifted to the grim reality of how personal photos, even those seemingly innocent in nature, can be misused. "Oh yeah, there's a lot more than [you think]. It would creep you out if some of the people that are putting their photos out there knew what people were doing with them," warned Dreeke. He recounted his time with the Innocent Lives Foundation, where he witnessed firsthand how everyday images—children at the beach or a gymnastics meet—were manipulated, sexualized, and traded on the dark web.
 
 For many, the question arises: why do users seem oblivious to the potential threats lurking in the shadows of their social media profiles? Dreeke offers a perspective rooted in psychology. The immediate gratification, the validation from likes and comments, he argues, often masks the underlying risks. "It's our own insecurities and need for that constant approval and validation [that] will overwrite... the fear we may have from the people we never even see."
 
 Brueski and Dreeke's conversation underscored a pervasive, and sometimes overlooked, challenge of the digital age: navigating the balance between online engagement and personal safety. The dangers are not limited to overtly suggestive posts. The content we deem innocuous can also attract malicious intent.
 
 Dreeke's advice hinged on introspection and seeking external perspectives: "Ask yourself, is this a healthy relationship? Is this a healthy way to interact with the world?" He suggested confiding in "loving critics" for honest feedback on one's online behavior, emphasizing the ultimate pursuit of genuine, fulfilling relationships as a route to happiness.
 
 The podcast episode, while shedding light on a specific tragedy, opened up a broader discourse on the complexities and unseen dangers of our digital interactions. In an era where the quest for online validation is ever-pervasive, it serves as a stark reminder that safety and self-awareness must remain at the forefront.
 
 In conclusion, a question lingers: In the age of digital interconnectedness, are we too engrossed in the fleeting satisfaction of likes and comments to recognize the hidden risks lurking just a click away?


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