Cost of connectivity: Online predators on the rise, NC experts urge parents to get involved

NORTH CAROLINA (WECT) - On average, kids between eight and 18 years old spend about seven and a half hours a day watching or using screens.

Each second they spend on a screen is another second they’re at risk of online dangers. Dangers like online predators, who are everywhere in the digital world.

“We received 4,900 tips for the entire year of 2019. Last year, we received over 52,000 tips. So, it’s over a 1000% percent increase in the last few years,” said Kevin Roughton with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) computer crimes unit.

What’s an even scarier reality? Your kids may not recognize these predators for who they really are.

“They’re just doing things that get them the most likes or the most followers and not necessarily what’s going to keep them the safest,” said Roughton. “Instagram, Discord, TikTok or Snapchat, those are extremely popular, but they’re also some of the most dangerous places.”

He says the danger can all start with a simple conversation with a stranger and sometimes turn into a trusted relationship where kids eventually give away information used to exploit them.

“Someone can be any username they want to be, they can be any age they want to be,” said Roughton.

As a parent, he says there is something you can do to make sure it’s game over for those predators: get involved.

“Parents most of the time do a really great job with the physical parenting. When kids are getting ready to walk out the door, and we don’t know where they’re going, we ask questions: ‘Where are you going?’ ‘When will you be home?’” said Roughton. “But we don’t ask those same questions in an online environment.”

He suggests sitting down with your kids, letting them walk you through the apps they’re on, who they’re interacting with, and making sure they know everyone they’re connecting with.

“If they can’t tell you that’s someone they sit next to in school or somebody who lives down the street, then why are we interacting with them and more importantly, what are we sharing with them?” said Roughton.

Roughton is also part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is hosting a free webinar later this month to talk more about what parents can do.

The webinar is open to anyone on June 23 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. You can learn more and find the link to register by clicking here.