What she didn't know was that I had not only been in the right place at the right time but that I also work with cyber security daily.

What happens to those kids and their parents who don't have security spidey senses going off at 3ish am? Who aren't light sleepers and eerily familiar with every unique digital peep their devices make? What happens when a child accepts that request thinking it’s from their "parent?"

The hacker gains control of the child's contact list, editing the list and sending links and content from the parent or another trusted relative and what's worse is if it's not just a hacker... not a thief... but a child predator.

So how do you protect your children from this type of sneak attack? Tell them to verify. Make sure their operating systems are always and I mean ALWAYS up to date. Install security on their devices, keep it updated. Make sure you are aware of where your children are, who they are talking to, what they are looking at, what they are playing and watching.

Research parental apps before you install them, make sure they are legitimate and not a scam app like the ones mentioned here on Malwarebytes.
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/stalkerware/2019/07/parental-monitoring-apps-how-do-they-differ-from-stalkerware/

But above all of that and more importantly than any app... listen to them. Because if you have open communication between each other, they're going to tell you if something makes them feel worried, uncomfortable, ashamed, scared...

Talking to your kids beats any app and it builds a lifetime of connection that no device, game or software will ever give them.

And be safe out there.