By: Sheriff Rick Wells
Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our children. That’s why we dedicate detectives and support personnel to protecting young people through education, prevention, and enforcement. While we investigate crimes involving online predators, our goal is to help families prevent them from happening in the first place.
Today’s children are more connected than ever. Nearly every teenager has access to a smartphone, and many spend hours online each day. While the internet offers incredible opportunities to learn and connect, it also exposes children to risks that every parent should understand.
The best way to protect your child is to stay involved. Talk regularly about who they’re communicating with online, what games they play, and which social media platforms they use. Make sure they understand never to share personal information, photos, or their location with someone they don’t know in real life. Encourage them to tell you immediately if anyone online makes them feel uncomfortable or asks them to keep secrets.
Technology can also help parents create a safer online environment. Enable parental controls on your child’s devices and apps, set screen time limits, restrict purchases, and review privacy settings. Keep devices updated and consider creating a family charging station outside of bedrooms to reduce unsupervised nighttime use.
Take time to review the privacy settings on social media accounts and be mindful of what you share about your children online. Photos and posts can unintentionally reveal personal information, including your child’s location or daily routine.
Free parental control tools are available for most devices, including:
Apple Family Sharing for iPhones and iPads
Google Family Link for Android devices and Chromebooks
Microsoft Family Safety for Windows computers and Xbox
No app or software can replace open communication. The most effective online safety tool is a trusting relationship where your child knows they can come to you without fear of getting in trouble.
If your child becomes the victim of an online crime, reassure them that they are not to blame. Preserve all messages, photos, emails, or other evidence, avoid deleting anything, and contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency immediately. Reporting these incidents quickly can help protect your child and prevent others from becoming victims.
