Keeping Kids Safe Online
The FBI observed nationally at least a 20% increase in reporting of financially motivated sextortion incidents involving minor victims in October 2022-March 2023, compared to the previous year.
Nationally, from October 2021-March 2023, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations received over 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion of minors, involving at least 12,600 victims, and led to at least 20 suicides.
The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction's 2023 Report to Congress notes there were 2,172 victims of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in March 2009, increasing to 19,100 victims in April 2022.
That same report shows the number of CyberTips received in 2021 was four times higher than the number received in 2016.
Learn More
- Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment: Study Committee Presentation, Artificial Intelligence and Regulation of Internet Access by Minors, Recognizing and Reporting Child Maltreatment
- National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction: 2023 Report
- University of New Hampshire: Crimes Against Children Research Center
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Report on Safer Social Media and Online Platform Use for Youth
- Enough Abuse: 2024 Training Series
Online Resources for Parents
- Enough Abuse: Get the Facts Internet Safety
Enough Abuse is a citizen education and community mobilization initiative working to prevent child sexual abuse in our homes, schools, youth organizations and communities across the U.S. and globally. The program provides adults and communities with the knowledge and skills they need to put an end to the silence, and eventually, the epidemic of child sexual abuse. The curriculum is the adopted standard for child sexual abuse training by Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment. Their national site includes specific information on child online safety.
THORN is an international organization that works to address child sexual exploitation. They have created easy-to-follow discussion guides for parents to guide conversation about online safety.
THORN is an international organization that works to address child sexual exploitation. They have created a free guide to help parents understand the youth attitudes toward sharing nudes and ways to teach children about the risks and nature of AI-created deepfakes.
THORN is an international organization that works to address child sexual exploitation. They have created a free guide that will help parents understand and identify grooming and red flag behaviors, teach your child to distinguish safe online relationships from risky ones, provide your child with tools for knowing when and how to ask for help, and feel confident in your ability to navigate the digital landscape with your child and protect them from the risks of online grooming.
- McCain Instute at Arizona State University: Real Friends Don't: Know the Platforms
Real Friends Don't offers information about online safety for teens and for parents. Know the Platforms specifically breaks down the ever-changing world of online platforms that teens use to communicate.
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Take it Down
A free service that can help you remove or stop the online sharing of nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos taken of you when you were under 18 years old.
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: NetSmartz
Age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children to be safer online, helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.
- SD Department of Social Services: Child Protection Services
Report child abuse and neglect: In South Dakota, anyone can call to report child abuse and neglect. Intake Specialists with SD Department of Social Services will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If reporting before 8 a.m., after 5 p.m., on the weekends or during a holiday, please contact local law enforcement. Always call 911 if a child is in immediate danger!
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: No Escape Room
A newly launched interactive experience that plunges parents and caregivers into the reality of financial sextortion. Based on dozens of real-life CyberTipline reports, the interactive film follows the story of a 15-year-old boy’s exploitation online. At key points, “No Escape Room” challenges parents to try and navigate the situation for themselves, as they find out it’s more difficult than it seems.
- NSPCC UK: Guide to Online Pornography
National Society for the Prevention of Child Cruelty is United Kingdom's leading charity that specializes in child protection and preventing cruelty to children. This guide provides talking parents for parents to discuss online pornography with their children.
- Children and Screens: Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Online: Virtual World, Real Victims Webinar Recording
Institute of Digital Media and Child Development hosted a webinar that covered issues: youth online sexual harassment and exploitation, online grooming, financial sextortion, and child sexual abuse material.
- Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children: Vigilant Parent Initiative, Vault Apps, Apps Parents Should Know
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Silicon Valley has created several different parent resources to help parents better understand online safety. :30 Video Graphics Examples: