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The following information is borrowed from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website. See links below.
Internet Safety for Children & Adults
What is Online Enticement?
Online enticement is a broad category of online exploitation, including sextortion, in which a child is being groomed to take sexually explicit images and/or ultimately meet face-to-face with someone for sexual purposes, or to engage in a sexual conversation online or, in some instances, to sell/trade the child’s sexual images. This type of victimization takes place across every platform; social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc.
What is Sextortion?
Sextortion is a relatively new form of sexual exploitation that occurs primarily online and in which non-physical forms of coercion are utilized, such as blackmail, to acquire sexual content (photos/videos) of the child, obtain money from the child or engage in sex with the child.
The following video was made by the US Department of Justice in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
So as a parent what can I do?
Well, my first bit of advice would be to go to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's website and look through their NetSmartz training and information for parents. They have broken down many of the current dangers facing children and young adults these days both on the internet and in the physical world. Educating yourself is the first step in helping to educate them. But I also have a few words of advice from my years working child exploitation cases:
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Don't be afraid of computers. We no longer live in a world that allows parents to get away with saying "Ah, those computer thingies, I have no use for them. My kid programs my remotes for me!" If you don't know enough about computers and smart devices to know what to look for then you won't be able to know what to guard against.
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Talk to your kids. However, don't be that parent that says "If I catch you sending naked pictures or chatting with people you shouldn't be talking to I will take your phone away and ban you from the computer for life!" By doing that you make it almost guaranteed that if your child takes a bad step into a world where they become overwhelmed they will NOT come to you for help. Let your children know that you have expectations, however, you will also understand when mistakes are made. Their phones and computers are an integral part of their existence, and if the choice becomes telling you they are in danger vs. losing their phones, you are going to lose 9 times out of 10.
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Keep the computer in a high-traffic area of your home.
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Establish limits for which online sites children may visit and for how long.
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Remember that Internet technology can be mobile, so make sure to monitor cell phones, gaming devices, and laptops.
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Surf the Internet with your children and let them show you what they like to do online.
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Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, e-mailing, online gaming, and using webcams.
Continually TALK with your children about online safety.
Lastly, talk with the teachers at your child's school. If they wish they can contact me for age-appropriate lectures I can present to students to try and help them understand the dangers they face.
PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION!
