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Presenters urge parents to monitor children’s online contacts; point to Know to Protect campaign
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Summary
Presenters warned that online predators typically target the most accessible children and urged parents, trusted adults and policymakers to check social media and gaming contacts, hold open conversations with children, and visit notaprotect.gov for resources from the Know to Protect campaign.
Presenters warned that online predators typically target the most accessible children and urged parents, trusted adults and policymakers to check social media friends lists, review gaming contacts and encourage open conversations about online contact.
The presenters said the Know to Protect campaign is designed to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults and policymakers to prevent and combat online child exploitation and abuse, and they emphasized that enforcement alone is insufficient to solve the problem.
“When predators are targeting a child, they're most likely gonna go after the most accessible child that they have to them,” Speaker 1, a presenter, said. Speaker 2, a presenter, urged adults to actively review who children add on social media and who they play games with: “So they'll look at their social media. They'll look at their school. They'll look at the pictures they're posting. They will either befriend this child or become part of their friends list or become part of their contacts and followers. You've got to get involved.”
The presenters advised parents and trusted adults to check friends lists, monitor contacts in online games, and have direct conversations so children feel able to report unwanted contacts. “You've got to make sure that things are appropriate and that their friends lists are checked, the people are playing games with are checked. Have these conversations so that it is a safe environment,” Speaker 2 said, adding that the Know to Protect campaign will provide education and resources.
“Because of how vast this problem is, it's not one that we can arrest our way out of. We need your help. To learn more, go to notaprotect.gov,” Speaker 1 said, directing listeners to the campaign website.
The presenters provided no statute, ordinance or formal policy during these remarks; they framed the topic as public education and prevention and pointed attendees to the campaign website for further information.
