April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In hopes of spreading awareness and to help educate our audience on ways to keep our children safe, we’ve teamed up with Kids House of Seminole for this month long series.
Kids House is Seminole County’s Children’s Advocacy Center. Its mission is to aid children who are victims of abuse by providing all necessary services for child abuse cases from report and investigation through treatment and prosecution in a child-friendly, non-threatening environment. Kids House is a nonprofit organization that exists because of the generosity of our community. If you would like to support them, please donate.
Click here to find a CAC near you. If you suspect a child you know is a victim of abuse, please call 1-800-96ABUSE.
Understanding Internet Safety
These days our youth/teens are spending more time online than they are sleeping. We have seen an increase in our cases involving teens with sending sexually explicit images through texting apps and social media apps. Sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs or images, primarily between mobile phones is considered sexting. What teens aren’t aware of is that sending and receiving these images constitutes as distribution of child pornography. Under federal law, child pornography is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (under 18 years of age). The images may be pictures, videos, or other computer-generated images.
In 2018, the most popular apps for doing this are Kik, Snapchat and WhatsApp. Kik and WhatsApp appeal to teens because they can be anonymous. Snapchat is popular because the images/videos self-destruct after 10 seconds. This makes it hard for law enforcement to track the images and the perpetrators who are asking for them.
How can parents prevent victimization through the internet? Parents should be aware of what apps their teens are using and know how they work. Use parental controls on their phone, tablets, and gaming systems. Remind your children that any image shared through texting or posting online is an image they can never get back. Speak to them about why sharing an image with their boyfriend is not a good idea and how he may decide to share with his friends who then share with friends, etc. Or explain that the image could land in the wrong hands and someone could send out to the entire school as retaliation. Parents should supervise and limit their teen’s internet usage. Know who your children are talking to online. Allow your children to speak openly with you by listening to them and not reacting to what they tell you. Be alert for changes in your child’s behavior.
If your child discloses being involved in sexting or harassment through the internet: Stay calm and believe your child. Listen, but don’t interrogate them. Give emotional support. Report the violation to the local law enforcement agency. Reach out to their local Children’s Advocacy Center for support and resources for counseling.
Apps to Know
Texting apps; Kik Messenger, WhatsApp
Microblogging Apps and sites: Tumblr, Twitter, Yik Yak
Photo and Video Sharing: Instagram, Snapchat, Musical.ly
Live streaming Video Apps: Houseparty, Live.me
Jennifer Napier is the Child Advocate Program Director at Kids House of Seminole. She has worked Kids House working with victims and their families for over 10 years and is on the Human Trafficking Task Force.