Threat of child sex predators prompts new police effort
Sexual predators use social media, messaging apps and gaming platforms to gain access to children and the use of these tools can be like opening a door right into your child’s bedroom, according to the new public awareness campaign aimed at teaching parents and children how to safely navigate the digital world.
“At any given time, there are tens of thousands of predators online looking to exploit children,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police (MSP). “Any child who is online can be a target – even yours, so it’s important to have conversations with your children about what to do if they encounter a stranger online.”
To talk to your child about online predators, start with open, age-appropriate conversations and make it clear you're a trusted resource they can come to without fear of anger or punishment. Establish a "no friends before meeting in person" rule, set clear tech boundaries and privacy settings, and teach them how to recognize risky situations and what to do if they encounter one. Reassure them that if they encounter a predator or see inappropriate content, it's not their fault, and you'll help them are suggestions from the Child Rescue Coalition.
Counselors urge parents to learn how to use parental controls and privacy settings and educate themselves about popular sites. Teens need to understand the permanent nature of online data and the dangers of sexting and inappropriate content. With younger children, psychologists suggest parents use "stranger danger" analogies. Explaining to younger children that "tricky people" can act differently online than they do in real life is suggested.
Children should learn to never share personal information such as their address online and to 9 ways to protect your child from online predators.
The internet offers multiple expert resources for parents offering ways to help keep children safe from internet predators.
The “Opening the Door” campaign, led by the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, includes a video public service announcement drawing attention to online predatory behavior like grooming and sextortion, and encouraging adults to be proactive in talking to their children about online dangers. Using federal funds, the video will be shared through a paid social media campaign that began this week and will continue through December.
“Education is your best defense against online predators,” said Capt. Lizabeth Rich, commander of the MSP Intelligence Operations Division. “We encourage parents to work with their children to create a plan for internet use that includes parental controls. They should get comfortable talking about online dangers and familiarize themselves with how to report any odd activity they encounter.”
Report child sexual exploitation or abuse, including grooming or harm, to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.org or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST.
Prepare youth for what can happen and what to do if something scary or harmful occurs by visiting www.michigan.gov/ICAC.
The Michigan ICAC Task Force is part of a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing over 4,500 law enforcement agencies who are continually engaged in proactive and reactive investigations and prosecutions of people involved in child abuse and exploitation involving the internet.
