{"id":101624,"date":"2020-06-13T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2020-06-13T16:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"\/blogs\/?p=101624"},"modified":"2025-04-23T01:34:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T08:34:15","slug":"reports-of-online-predator-on-the-rise-how-to-keep-your-kids-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/reports-of-online-predator-on-the-rise-how-to-keep-your-kids-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Reports of Online Predators on the Rise. How to Keep Your Kids Safe.\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

June is Internet Safety Month. And, with kids spending more time online, stepping up the public conversation about digital risks couldn\u2019t come at a better time.<\/p>\n

The past few months have created what some experts call the perfect storm for online predators. Schools are closed, kids are on devices more, and social distancing is creating new levels of isolation and boredom.<\/p>\n

Guards are down, and predators know it. In fact, according to The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), reports to their CyberTipline spiked<\/a> 106% during the first months of the pandemic.\u00a0A recent CNN story<\/u><\/a>, claims the dark web has seen a similar increase in activity within predator communities that has spilled over to the mainstream web since the pandemic began.<\/p>\n

While specific data doesn\u2019t exist (yet) to connect increased complaints directly to the ongoing health crisis, NCMEC, the FBI, and UNICEF continue to issue strong warnings to parents to step up digital safety as predators step up their efforts to connect with kids online.<\/p>\n

What You Should Know<\/h2>\n

Predators reach out to minors through social networks, gaming platforms, or apps. They often pose as a peer, use fake photos, and create fake profiles to lure minors to chat. Predators build trust with children through devious tactics such as grooming, mirroring, and fishing, which you can read more about in our post specific to predator behavior<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Predators have been known to (although not exclusively) target socially awkward or shy kids and convince them to keep the online relationship secret. The predator may ask for a risqu\u00e9 or explicit photo that they may later use to bully or manipulate the child or share within predator circles on the dark web. If the child refuses to send more photos when asked, a predator may threaten to share photos they already have with the child\u2019s family and friends. Often the predator may ask the child to meet in person. These relationships can be brief or go on. Regardless of duration, each encounter can have a harmful psychological impact on a child. Of course, the worst-case predator situations can result in trafficking or death.<\/p>\n

What You Can Do<\/h2>\n

No parent wants to think about their child in this chilling situation. However, a quick Google search regarding actual predator cases<\/a> may likely inspire you to adopt targeted safety practices. Here are some focused things you can do to minimize your child\u2019s exposure to predators.<\/p>\n