More and more kids are being exposed to smartphones and the internet at younger ages these days.
The chances of them running into a digital predator are pretty high.
What’s happening now is, police are warning parents about the dangers associated with the site younow.com. The site is described as, “the best way to discover talented broadcasters, watch live streams and video chat with people from around the world.”
Police detectives in Fullerton, California recently completed a two-month long investigation dealing with unlawful sex with a minor. A 26-year-old male was allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl. He met the victim on the younow website.
Police said, “This should be a reminder to all parents that, while there are many legitimate websites where legitimate services are offered, there are people that are looking to prey on our children through these sites. The only way to defend against these predators is through educating our children on the potential dangers of the internet, communicating with them regularly, supervising their activities, and maintaining vigilance.”
With kids getting their own smartphone or tablet at 5 years old or younger, it’s important to know how to keep them safe online. Here are some suggestions:
- Have open dialogue – Make sure you talk to your kids about online safety. Let them know the risks that come with being online and that they can speak with you anytime a problem arises.
- Set parental controls – Take advantage of the parental control settings on your child’s gadgets. These will help keep them from accessing inappropriate online content.
- Install security software – You can prevent certain online risks with security software.