In today’s digital environment, sexual predators use social media, messaging apps and gaming platforms to gain access to our children and the use of these tools can be like opening a door right into your child’s bedroom. That’s the message of the Michigan State Police’s 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 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.”
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 starts today and runs 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.
