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Forum educates on internet safety for children, teens

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Diana M. Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 212, hosted Marah Strickland, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program education coordinator, to speak to parents on how to educate their children on the internet and its dangers during an ICAC Task Force Program community safety forum here, Jan. 23, 2015.

Strickland also visited Shaw's High Hills Elementary School to talk to fifth-graders and Shaw Heights Elementary School to talk to third-graders.

During the forum, Strickland talked about different social media sites children and teens use and the harm those sites can cause through misuse.

"Eighty-two percent of children and teens think the internet is safe, and 87 percent check social media sites daily," said Strickland.

Any person can be an online predator, it is the parent's job to monitor and educate their children so they don't become victims, said Strickland.

The ICAC Program is made up of 61 task forces coordinated to represent a national network of federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.

"The ICAC Task Force was created to help Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children," according to the ICAC Task Force web page.

Social media sites like Snapchat, Kik Messenger, and Yik Yak make it easy for online predators and cyber bullies to target their next victims.

Children and teens don't understand that there is no anonymity online and that once the information or photos are out there, they cannot get them back, said Strickland.

Strickland suggested for parents to disable any GPS locating capabilities the social media sites may have, check their child's privacy settings monthly, and check the age limits for the applications and sites.

Children and teens also can be victimized while gaming online by both cyber predators and bullies.

While online, gamers have a gamer tag, which gives personal information about each gamer. Parents are encouraged to reduce the personal information in their child's tag and monitor who they are gaming with to make sure their child doesn't become a victim.

Strickland suggests that a young person's first and last name, address, social security number, age, and school are private or not on their account at all.

"It was a great opportunity for AFOSI Det. 212 to take a proactive stance against cyber-crimes against children," said Special Agent Jamie Huffman, AFOSI Det. 212 detective. "The information provided to both parents and children will help them make the first steps in making responsible decisions when operating in the cyber realm."

If a child has experienced cyber bullying or an online predator, be sure to save the evidence, block the instigator and contact law enforcement or the school to which the bully belongs.

"The best filters are communication and education," said Strickland. "The internet is a good source of information and learning; young people just need to be trained on how to use it safely."