CORAL GABLES, Fla. – As police were looking for a 32-year-old man who allegedly assaulted a girl, police said Tuesday that parents need to be proactive.
The Coral Gables Police Department was looking for a man who was accused of using social media to lure a girl into his home Saturday.
Coral Gables Police Officer Kelly Denham released six prevention tips for parents:
• Place the computer in a family room or somewhere visible.
• Limit and monitor the amount of time your children spend on the Internet, and at what times of day. Too much time online, especially at night, may be a sign of a problem.
• Encourage your teen to think before he or she sends or posts pictures and other personal information. Remember that every post from your teen is an electronic fingerprint that can damage his or her college careers, future employment opportunities, and reputation with friends, family, and neighbors.
• Online predators often meet potential victims in chat rooms and continue to communicate with them through email and instant messaging.
• Never agree to meet someone in person that you've met online.
• If you suspect your child is a potential victim or has been a victim of online exploitation, contact your local or state law enforcement agency, the FBI, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).