The FBI Warning about Child Sexual Abuse Exploitation during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Mary L. Pulido, Ph.D.

The FBI sounded the alarm today regarding the dangers of children being abused by on-line predators. Due to schools closing across the country, most children are glued to their computers and phones, where predators lurk. Predators make casual contact with a child, gain their trust and eventually introduce sexual content into the conversation. They could also send them sexually explicit photos or videos and ask the child to send them photos or videos of themselves. The predator then can use these to continue the exploitation.

Anyone who is a parent today did not grow up with the generation of technology that their children are using to capture and document a tremendous amount of their lives on social media. The good, the bad, and the ugly is being recorded and shared. I recommend that parents have a conversation with their children about safety when using different forms of social media — from Facebook to texting and anything in between. And, that parents review and approve games and apps before they are downloaded. Don’t be afraid to check your children’s profiles and what they post, you need to know, and you need to protect them!

Here are a few tips for you to discuss with your tweens and teens regarding safety when using the internet and other web-based technologies during the pandemic. If you think this is an awkward conversation; you can hand them this blog to read.