Keeping children in Florida sexttort requires more than a “safe setting”

When we think about protecting our children, we naturally focus on the dangers we can see – to escape the fire, to call 911 or to avoid strangers. But today some of the biggest threats to our children are hidden by the obvious vision lurking behind the screen. Online predators often use digital platforms and anonymity to manipulate and misuse young people without their parents ever knowing. That’s why it’s more important than ever for parents and caregivers to educate themselves, allowing children to navigate the online world safely and confidently.

Surprisingly, one in five children encounter sexual solicitation online before the age of 18. Even popular apps for sale to children and teens, such as YouTube Kids, Roblox, Fortnite, Tiktok, and Snapchat, are routinely used by predators to access and misuse young people. While these platforms may promote “teen accounts” or safe environment settings, the reality is: Predators will always find a way.

That’s why online safety cannot be achieved through filters and parental controls alone. Protecting such as disabling location services, turning off chat features, and setting up parent controls is not sufficient for important tools in the toolbox. True digital safety comes from our conversations with our kids. It is a conversation that teaches you to recognize the red flag, understand safe boundaries, and feel the power to speak up.

We must teach our children that anyone we meet online can be adults who pretend to be peers. Do not talk to strangers on the internet or share personal information or photos, especially images of your body. And equally important, we have to remember over and over again that they can come to us anything, even if they make mistakes, break rules, feel scared or embarrassed. It’s not fear or punishment that keeps a child safe. That’s trust.

In the case of Sexttorm, a surprising rise – predators can’t force children to send explicit images, blackmail and force them, often demand more images and money, and keep the urgency of digital safety education down to the urgency. The catastrophic consequences of this crime are far too realistic. Sexttrut is directly linked to the troublesome increase in suicide among young people. And while these children are alive, due to the actions of predators, these crimes are now labelled murder. We must now take action to keep our children safe.

Parents need to know that they are operating through all internet-enabled devices, including Wi-Fi, gaming consoles, tablets and deactivated mobile phones connected to social media platforms. They know the online space where the kids are and go there. They often use false identity and lies to surround and lock up unsuspecting children, causing long-term and sometimes irreparable harm.

The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report reveals how widespread this threat has become. Over 859,000 suspected reports of internet crime nationwide, losses totaling more than $16 billion, up 33% from the previous year. According to the latest FBI report, Florida ranks among the top three states of cybercrime, highlighting the urgent need to tackle cybercrime and protect children from online predators.

Every June, National Internet Safety Month reminds us of the important importance of having an open and transparent conversation with children about digital dangers. As parents, this is our moment of stepping up. By fostering open dialogue with children, you can help them understand risks and navigate the digital world safely. You can avoid strangers online, protect your personal information, and teach them to think carefully before sharing private images. If these arguments are encountered by scams, we should not be afraid to jump into conversations about sexting and what may be sextresses, as these arguments can build trust and set up for success. Setting up a digital code of conduct, reviewing online activities regularly, and providing information about the apps you use are powerful tools to establish digital security.

As a mother, a survivor of mother sexual abuse and digital exploitation, as a former legislator who has passed the laws that combat these crimes and a lifelong advocate for child safety, I urge families around the country to take this seriously. We must deal with digital safety with the same urgency and care as doing fire drilling and seat belts. Many organizations, including Lauren’s children, offer free and accessible resources to teach personal and digital safety effectively and without fear. If you’re interested, you can go to laurenskids.org to provide detailed information on access to the resources.

It’s time to turn fear into action, create digital spaces where children can thrive, and create digital spaces where survivors can confidently rebuild. As families, communities and advocates, we are able to tackle cybercrime head on and protect our children.

Lauren Book, Ed is a child advocate, former classroom teacher, bestselling author, former Florida senator and founder and CEO of Lauren’s Children. As a victim of six years of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted caretaker, the book founded Lauren’s children as a way to prevent childhood sexual abuse and help other survivors heal.