Arkansas State Police Remind Parents & Teens To Beware Of Online Predators

With school starting soon, the Arkansas State Police (ASP) are urging parents to be vigilant against sexual predators that are targeting children online.  It's scary to think that this summer, the Arkansas State Police have issued several Missing/Endangered Advisories for missing children and teens, including five Amber Alerts since May.

Many of these Arkansas teens have been contacted and then lured away from their homes by predators they met through online messaging apps.

Major Stacie Rhoads, commander of the ASP Criminal Investigation Division, said in a press release,

The internet provides a type of anonymity that allows people to conceal their true identities or assume false ones. This creates a playground for predators and poses a significant threat to children and teenagers who use the internet.

It's important to know who your kids are in contact with online because these predators might engage your child or teen in sexual conversations, they will try to meet them in person. They are also known to send explicit material and request explicit photos of your child. Please teach your children and teens to be cautious online. Even if they think they know who they are communicating with, it could be someone posing as someone they know.

ASP coordinates alerts for missing or abducted children in Arkansas through the Arkansas AMBER Alert System. Local law enforcement agencies must request these alerts, which are only issued when ASP determines that a child has been abducted and is in imminent danger.

For tools to help parents protect their children from online predators and internet crimes, you can go to aricac.org. Schools and other organizations can also request online safety material through this site.

Also, if you need to report suspicious online activity, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

Get our free mobile app