New Online Safety Initiative Helps Parents Protect Kids
Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky has taken a proactive approach to keeping children safe online by collaborating with the Kentucky State Police. Together, they have launched a free 10-part video training series designed to educate parents on how to safeguard their children from online threats.
The videos feature Kentucky State Police (KSP) troopers who provide essential guidance on discussing internet safety, gaming safety, and cyberbullying with children. A key focus of the series is addressing one of the most rapidly growing cyber threats: sextortion. Troopers explain that sextortion is similar to blackmail, where online predators lure individuals into sharing sexual content and then threaten to expose it unless the victim pays money or sends more material.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, in 2023, their CyberTipline received over 186,000 reports related to online enticement, which includes cases of sextortion. This highlights the urgent need for awareness and education on this issue.
KSP troopers emphasize that sextortion can occur on any social media platform and affects users across the country, including those in Kentucky. If a child becomes a victim, troopers advise against engaging with the predator and instead recommend reporting the incident to law enforcement immediately.
Jill Seyfred, the Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, explains that the goal of the training series is to prevent these issues before they start. “We want to make sure that we stop all of that before it even begins,” she says. According to Seyfred, the conversation about online safety should begin with parents.
While parents don’t need to be highly tech-savvy, Seyfred stresses the importance of staying informed about the latest technology. “You’ve got to stay up to date because the technology is changing every day,” she adds.
The video series offers practical tips for monitoring a child’s online activity, encouraging conversations about only interacting with people known in real life, and setting limits on screen time. One of the top recommendations from KSP troopers is to avoid letting children use their phones in their bedrooms at night before going to sleep. “Once they go to sleep, there’s no need for their phones to be with them,” Seyfred explains.
Troopers also note that there is no specific age recommended for when children should gain access to the internet. However, they stress the importance of being prepared and involved once that time comes.
Parents looking for additional resources and information on internet safety can find the training videos and other helpful materials through the Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky website. The initiative aims to empower families with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the digital world safely.
