Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
SPECIAL AGENT Todd Wilton, with the Departmen of Homeland Security, presents tips to area residents about how to protect their children from online dangers at GCC Wednesday night.
By BRYAN HELLIOS
Ironwood - Attendees of the iGuardian parent program listened to Special Agent Todd Wilton, with the Department of Homeland Security, discuss tips on internet safety Wednesday night at Gogebic Community College.
Maija Grace, from Wakefield, came to the event to learn about the dangers of social media.
"I just want to learn what signs as a parent I need to look out for," she said.
She said her kids do have cellphones and use the internet to game online.
"I trust my kids, but I need to realize that they are kids and they are very impressionable still," she said.
Wilton said internet predators use many tactics to find their victims. His presentation included actual cases of sexual criminals who went through "extraordinary" efforts to gain a child's trust.
"These guys are so driven and motivated," he said.
Some online predators create fake social media accounts using pictures of children whose ages are similar to the age of children they want to victimize, he said. These criminals will often use messaging apps which allow them to communicate without going through a traditional texting service, he added.
"Some of the tricks they do are going to be really hard for kids to not to be tricked by them," Wilton said.
He said with 80% of middle and high school students sending explicit images, sexual predators gain access to the images when they are shared on the web. Those who exploit children trade the pictures with other pedophiles or use them to blackmail the child, he added.
Pedophiles also use codes words and slangs to talk covertly talk to each other, he said.
Wilton gave examples of phrases like PTHC - standing for preteen hard core - and emojis like the "Pedo bear" that let pedophiles know they are talking to another pedophile.
Wilton gave examples of apps which parents and guardians should be concerned about, such as Snapchat and Kik Messenger. He said routine monitoring of a child's cellphone is a good way to prevent them from getting into a dangerous situation.
Wilton said people can visit netsmartz.org for more information on internet safety.
