Keeping children safe while they are online

The pandemic has shifted life for everyone over the last year, but perhaps one of the most vulnerable groups include chil­dren, who are spending more time than ever online. Through everyday scrolling, online gam­ing and Zoom learning, preda­tors have unprecedented ac­cess to kids. With the so much dependence on technology and the web, children are increas­ingly at risk of befriending strangers online.

Pre-pandemic, we have been able to count on educators to act as law enforcement’s eyes and ears, noticing some of the signs that a student is being abused at home or sexually ex­ploited by a trafficker. Now that children are stuck mostly at home, here are tips on why we should worry about unlimited web access and what to look for as a red flag.

Why we should worry:

• Just because kids are not physically in school during the pandemic’s stay-at-home pub­lic health order, does not mean they aren’t at risk of being re­cruited into the world of human trafficking.
• Students are a captive audi­ence for would-be traffickers, who make contact on social media.
• Students are more sus­ceptible than before to sexual exploitation because teachers and school staff can’t make the same observations as they would in person.
• Reports of technology-based exploitation have tripled to the National Center for Miss­ing and Exploited Children amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Even though it’s a tough topic, parents and guardians must educate children on the pitfalls to prevent them from falling victim to predators.

Red flags that should be tak­en seriously include:

• Secretive behavior with on­line activities.
• Hiding what is on their computer screens.
• Out of sight or behind a closed door when online.
• Vague talk of making new friends with little to no details.
• Agitated behavior when an­swering their phone or needing to take calls in private.
• Sneaking out of the house or being untruthful about who they are with and where they have been.
• Attempting to look older with clothing or makeup.
• Getting home later than agreed upon.
• Unexplained expensive gifts, money or clothing.

What can parents and guard­ians do to keep their children safe?

• Review and approve games and apps before they are down­loaded.
• Make sure privacy settings are set to the strictest level pos­sible for online gaming systems, phones and other devices.
• Monitor your child’s use of the Internet and keep comput­ers in a non-private room.
• Explain that images posted online most likely will remain on the internet permanently.
• Teach your child about per­sonal boundaries and aware­ness of their surroundings.
• Encourage open child-par­ent communication around In­ternet safety.

As we mark Human Traffick­ing Awareness Month, I want parents and guardians to know they are on the frontlines when it comes to child abuse and ex­ploitation. It’s up to the adults to help children understand the risks they may face and make them feel comfortable reporting victimization or abuse.

As your District Attorney, I’m committed to increasing com­munication and accessibility between the DA’s Office and the public. I hope these con­sumer and public safety tips have been helpful.