How to Protect Children Who May Be in
Danger on Their Devices
BY LORI DRAZ
Samantha Cole and Company
Interior Design
ASID
Creating timeless interiors that always reflect our clients’ taste.
Rumson, New Jersey
San Francisco, California
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www.samanthacoleinteriors.com
TheJournalNJ.com | OCTOBER 2020 39
Apart from the physical dangers of the coronavirus, the
COVID-19 crisis has manifested many secondary dangers, like
marked increases in domestic violence, depression, alcoholism,
drug abuse and suicide. Another chilling statistic is the dramatic
rise in child pornography. Child predators are taking advantage of
the increased online time during quarantine to locate child victims
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talk, Yubo, Omegle, Chat Roulette, Hot or Not and many others, including
gaming apps like Minecraft and Fortnite.
One of the sickening statistics is the rising number of victims in
the newest category, children aged 7 to 9.
Recently, New Jersey law enforcement detectives from all over
had located more than two dozen child pornographers ranging in
age from 18 to 71, and their work is ongoing.
others are repeat offenders from all walks of life. The one common
thread is that they are taking advantage of the increased time children
and teens are spending on mobile devices during the shutdown
to prey on the innocent.
his initials into her leg. Another shocking story is of a Newark woman
who broadcasted herself performing a sexual act on a toddler while
she was babysitting. Some even traveled from out of state to meet
underage New Jersey victims. Charges include possession of child
porn and child rape videos, soliciting and sharing child pornography.
There were almost 50 percent more tips sent to New Jersey's
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force this March through
July compared to the same time last year. The New Jersey State Police
also receives tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children.
New Jersey State Police Dsg. Paul Sciortino shared that the concern
for even greater rises in abuses continues during the fall and
winter as schools remain teaching remotely and the cooler weather
means even more time indoors.
“You never know who is really behind cute screen names like
Flowergirl or Luvstochat,” he said. “These predators are very clever at
gets me. They’re just like me.’ Some even convince kids to send in
pictures for contests or to meet celebrities. Before you know it, these
criminals are manipulating young people – in some cases, even arranging
in person meetings. We have taught our kids not to talk to
strangers with candy, yet they wind up talking to the virtual version
of these predators. It’s simple. Parents must be very involved in the
child’s use of devices. They may complain, but you are saving them
from unspeakable consequences.”
Sciortino also recommends that parents become familiar with
the latest apps. “New ones pop up all the time, and whether it’s the
popular ones like Instagram or the newer ones, learn them.”
Check the security settings on your kids' phones and games, he said.
stop reminding them that cute screen names can be hiding a monster. You
must also remind them to never, under any circumstances, take nude or
sexual photos and post them.
Parents should also watch for sly or secretive behavior in their kids. Has
their personality changed? He advised against letting kids keep phones and
devices in their rooms.
Sciortino also shared that while the special task force’s classroom
educational programs may not be able to be conducted, the department
remains available to do virtual lectures for classes and to do educational
programs for parents groups, seniors and more.
To arrange a lecture, contact the New Jersey State Police Internet
Crimes Unit at 609-584-5051, ext. 5633 or LPPH310@njsp.org.
If you suspect your child or one of their friends may be involved with
a possible predator, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
at 800-843-5678 or visit report.cybertip.org.
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