SAN ANTONIO – Recently, two alarming incidents involving teenagers being lured into robberies through social media have come to light. These cases highlight how easily online platforms can be used to manipulate and exploit young people. So, what can parents do to keep their kids safe in this digital age?
According to special agent Smith from the FBI, “Any application or social or gaming platform that you can message on can be a way to exploit children.” This statement underscores the importance of understanding the potential dangers lurking online.
In one case, 17-year-old Alyssa Victoria Canul was arrested for allegedly using dating sites to lure young men before robbing and assaulting them. Another incident involved 21-year-old Angie Morales, who was accused of using Instagram to orchestrate a deadly robbery.
These cases illustrate a troubling trend: “It doesn’t matter the age, from however young to mid to late teens, anybody is at-risk, and we see it across the board,” Smith added. This means that all teens, regardless of their online experience, should be aware of the risks.
Parents should be vigilant for red flags, like significant changes in their child’s behavior or sudden secrecy. “If they’re taking their phones into the bathroom or their bedrooms for extended periods, that can also be a red flag,” Smith warns.
Initiating the Conversation
Local advocacy group nextTalk emphasizes the importance of open dialogue between parents and children about online safety. “We want to create a team environment in the home where the child truly feels safe coming to their parents,” said Mandy Majors, founder of nextTalk.
Majors suggests that parents should avoid reacting angrily when children come forward with concerns. Instead, they should express gratitude: “Anytime they’re bringing us anything, it should be, ‘Thank you so much for telling me. I am so proud of you.’” This approach fosters trust and encourages kids to share their experiences.
To enhance safety, parents can take two immediate actions: first, check the privacy settings on their child’s social media accounts and disable direct messages from strangers. Second, if a threat is suspected, parents should save or screenshot any concerning messages and report them to the authorities.
“I truly believe we’re the solution to keeping our kids safe online and off, but we need to get involved,” Majors concluded. If anyone feels endangered from online messages, they are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or submit a tip to the FBI online.
