Social Media Safety

Apps, Gaming, Social Media: Can be used in the grooming/trafficking process
A 2020 study from fightthenewdrug.com reported that: -83% of active 2020 sex trafficking cases involved online solicitation -65% of underage victims recruited online in active criminal sex trafficking cases were recruited through Facebook. -Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and gaming consoles are also avenues traffickers use to groom victims.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Reduce your risk online:

-have a trusted adult

-delete "friends" you don't know in real life

-never trust that someone is who they say they are online -don't agree to meet someone you only know online

-don't share photos with someone you don't know personally -check sharing settings ("friends only" not "public")

-turn off location settings on most apps -beware strangers sending gifts (real or virtual)

-be wise in what you post

-remove/don't post emotion-based or attention-seeking content (#lonely #depressed #misunderstood)

-remove/don't post or send sexual content (#sexy #hott)

-don't take, send, or post photos that could come back to hurt you

-don't keep secrets

-avoid secret/vault apps

-choose friends who are also making safe choices

RED FLAGS— Know this about online predators:

-only want to talk one on one with you

-want you to keep secrets from others you are close with; trying to -turn you against your close friends and family

-asking to exchange pictures or videos

-inconsistencies in their story

-small talk; trying to find out about your interests or hobbies

-often pretend to know other people in your life; will claim to have -a mutual friend so that they seem less of a stranger to you

-may mention something about you haven't told them; trust your gut!

If you have "red flags" about a person you are talking with online, STOP AND BLOCK. Don't risk it! You don't owe them an explanation. Remember, they are master manipulators.

Don't keep secrets. Involve a trusted adult and local law enforcement right away.

REPORT

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

1-800-843-5678

National Human Trafficking Resource Hotline

1-888-373-7888

Text HELP to 233733

The National Runaway Safeline

1-800-RUNAWAY

Cybertip line–1 800 THE LOST