00:00 The podcast discusses the misguided "stranger danger" campaign of the 80s and its impact on society.

04:59 The chances of a child being abducted by a stranger are extremely rare, yet the fear of this happening drove parents in the 80s to worry excessively about their children's safety.

10:22 The fear of child abduction by strangers overshadowed the more prevalent issue of child sexual abuse by known individuals, and the beginning of the "stranger danger" era can be traced back to the disappearance of a six-year-old boy named Etan Patz in May 1979.

15:33 The disappearance of a six-year-old boy named Etan Patz in May 1979, followed by the abduction and murder of another six-year-old boy named Adam Walsh in 1981, led to widespread fear of stranger danger and child abductions.

20:11 The milk carton campaign, which involved putting pictures of missing children on milk cartons to raise awareness, began in Iowa in 1984 and eventually became a national campaign in 1985, but only lasted a few years before fading away.

24:45 The milk carton campaign was not very successful in finding missing children, with only three named kids being rescued and returned based on milk cartons, and the story of "Little Bonnie Loman" is likely an internet legend.

29:18 The fear of stranger danger has had a real impact on how adults interact with and help children, with many men being hesitant to assist a child in need due to the fear of being perceived as a potential threat.

33:56 Children's independent mobility, which refers to the freedom for kids to explore their neighborhood without constant supervision, is beneficial for their psychological and physical development, as it makes them more aware of real dangers rather than just stranger danger.

39:15 Parents of missing children, such as Eden Pats, Adam Walsh, and Johnny Gosh, have dedicated their lives to lobbying for social reform and creating organizations like the National Center for Missing Exploited Children, in order to prevent other parents from experiencing the same tragedy.

43:58 There is a need to protect kids, but efforts should be directed more smartly, like the UK's campaign "Clever Never Goes" which encourages kids to approach responsible adults if they feel in trouble, rather than assuming every adult is a potential kidnapper. The Amber Alert system, which quickly circulates pictures of missing children, has been effective in recovering close to a thousand kids, and teaching kids about sexual abuse and inappropriate touching is also important.

48:42 Teaching kids about body autonomy and consent is important for their safety and well-being.