LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – As children spend more time on the internet during summer break, The Martin House Children’s Advocacy Center recommends parents stay informed on what their children are doing online.
In 2024, the CyberTipline received 20.5 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. In that same year, 29.2 million separate incidents of child sexual exploitation were submitted to the CyberTipline.
Cadie P. is the community engagement manager at The Martin House Children’s Advocacy Center. She educates children, caregivers, and child-serving professionals about preventing children from being victimized while they are on the internet. She said that during the summer, “kids are online pretty much non-stop.”
The Center speaks to children, from kindergarten through high school about internet safety. Cadie P. said that she is often surprised what children may not know about internet safety.
“I’ll ask: how many of you have learned about internet safety? And three or four kids raise their hands. And then I’ll ask: how many of you have a device? And almost the whole class raises their hand,” Cadie P. said.
These presentations inform children on the risk of sharing personal information, whether they mean to or not.
“It could even be posting a picture online, and they have the name of the school on their shirt, or they’re giving that personal information in the background,” Cadie P. said.
It is also important that children know who their trusted adult is in case anything happens while online.
“If something ever happens online, if they feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused about something, we want to make sure they know those safe and trusted adults,” Cadie P. said.
Cadie P. said that there are ways for adults to make sure the kids in their life know they can go to them for help.
“Having that open conversation and allowing the child to come to them, and knowing that they are not going to get in trouble for something that happened online, and knowing it’s not their fault,” Cadie P. said.
For parents to learn more about the games kids are playing online, search the safety and security information on the app’s website.
“Even ask to play the game with them and learn about it. It helps to create that bond,” Cadie P. said.
Report online victimization to local law enforcement or go to CyberTip Report.
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