Last week, the parents of Tristyn Bailey teamed up with law enforcement to hold a seminar about the dangers of social media. The event, held at Tocoi Creek High School, brought in many parents—some with their children—to discuss online risks.
Tristyn’s father, Forrest Bailey, explained that social media played a major role in her tragic death in 2021. She was murdered by another teenager, Aiden Fucci. Even after her death, social media was used to spread harmful messages.
“For us to understand the dangers, we need knowledge,” Bailey said.
Hidden Dangers on Kids’ Phones
The seminar featured several experts, including St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick, Homeland Security Special Agent Benjamin Luedke, and detectives from the Major Crimes Unit.
Luedke warned parents that kids can hide dangerous apps behind fake icons—like a calculator. He also pointed out that many kids play games like Roblox and Fortnite, where they often interact with strangers.
Online predators take advantage of these platforms. They pretend to be teenagers to gain trust, then pressure kids into sending inappropriate pictures. These criminals then use the images to blackmail their victims. Some teens have even taken their own lives because of this kind of online extortion.
“This problem has become so common that law enforcement is struggling to keep up,” Luedke said.
Social Media Is Not as Private as It Seems
Detective Cole explained that many kids believe photos and videos on apps like Snapchat disappear after a while. But in reality, Snapchat saves everything. This means that anything posted online can be accessed later.
A kindergarten teacher in the audience shared her concerns, saying that children are being exposed to social media at younger ages.
“I see my students learning TikTok dances and playing Fortnite before bed,” she said. “How can I help parents understand the risks? Many don’t realize what their 5-year-olds are being exposed to.”
A Father’s Plea: “Watch What Your Kids Are Doing Online”
Forrest Bailey urged parents to monitor their children’s online activity.
“Every kid has a device now, but we don’t always understand the risks,” he said. “I never want another dad to feel the way I did. I don’t want anyone else to go through what my wife and I have been through. This is a message that needs to be shared.”
Attend the Next Seminar
A second seminar is scheduled for this week. Parents are encouraged to attend:
📅 Date: October 24
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Bartram Trail High School
7399 Longleaf Pine Parkway, St. Johns, FL 32259
Aiden Fucci pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison for Tristyn Bailey’s murder.
