Bismarck, North Dakota (KFYR) – Online crime against children is on the rise as the Internet continues to be a large part of many Americans’ lives. Investigators with the North Dakota Task Force often see criminals luring children out to trick them into giving them information or exchanging overtly abusive photos and videos of them. So how pervasive is this problem, and what are agents doing to track predators?
Predators often roam behind screens while trying to contact unsuspecting and trusting children. Many parents are wary.
“My biggest fear right now is that she will leak information, and then someone will come in who is a man, not a woman, and tell her he is her age,” Bismarck said. said Tricia Brown, the parent of
As children grow up with the internet, they also learn lessons about staying safe.
“My mother used to talk about it with me. They can take advantage of you and stuff. [the internet] I ask questions like how old am I and where do I live,” said the fourth-grader Charisma.
Parents are not the only ones who protect their children. Some are working hard, chasing shadows.
With predators lurking in the darkest corners of the internet, state task force agents are working to bring abuses to light.
Every day, BCI agents receive a CyberTip from their internet service provider.
“This is from Google, the service provider. Again, it’s child exploitation material,” said Steven Herstad, the principal investigator for the North Dakota Criminal Investigative Service, as it appeared on a computer screen. said while pointing to a hint.
Chips have risen over 500% in the last six years.
“Over time, younger children have been given devices and given access to the internet. So I think that increases the number of possible targets. I think the service providers do a better job of reporting it,” Chief Agent Herstad said.
Chief Agent Harstad told news readers that the task force was “successful” in tracking down these criminals in North Dakota. Every 1,000 tip-offs (including multiple tip-offs against the same person) lead to about 200 arrests for attempts to meet, cheat on, or blatantly abuse children. Attempts to obtain and trade abusive materials.
The risk is high, but the agent says the work is worthwhile.
“You got to the end of the case and really saved the child,” said Chief Investigator Herstad.
He says the Internet can continue to be a useful tool and source of entertainment, albeit with real dangers with serious consequences. He says education and open communication are key to keeping children safe.
News readers learn more about what happens after criminals are caught and how educators can help keep kids safe in Parts 2 and 3 of this multi-part series, Virtual Vigilance. I will explain.
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