FBI urges parents, grandparents to talk with children about online safety
The FBI urged parents and grandparents to have open conversations with children about online safety and appropriate behavior when interacting with adults online and in person, the agency said in a Facebook post.
The reminder from the federal law enforcement agency comes as online communication between adults and minors raises concerns about exploitation and abuse. The FBI investigates crimes involving online child exploitation and frequently uses public messaging to encourage vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity.
The post stressed that caregivers should discuss what is right and wrong in online interactions and set clear expectations for behavior. Experts and law enforcement recommend that families review privacy settings, monitor children’s online activity, and teach children to report uncomfortable encounters to a trusted adult.
The FBI’s social media outreach aims to raise awareness among caregivers and communities about risks posed by some online contacts and to prompt proactive prevention. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
