LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Experts are urging parents to add parental controls to all of their children’s devices to stay one step ahead of online predators.
Attorney General Russell Coleman is suing Roblox, accusing the popular gaming platform of allowing predators to groom children. Coleman has called Roblox, “the website of choice for child predators.”
These are the types of dangers that prompted Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky and the Kentucky State Police to create a free video series on internet safety. KSP urges parents to set screen time limits, turn off location services, and require passwords before any new app is downloaded.
Sergeant Zack Morris said the most important tips for internet safety include not allowing children to have electronics in their bedrooms at night. Experts also advise that kids should never share personal information — like their full name, address, or birthday.
"Get your kids to think before they post," detective John Sims said.
Police recommend parents start talks about online safety early — around age seven, or as soon as a child first goes online.
“There’s no right age to give children access but know whenever that access is allowed, the world will also have access to your child," Amanda Royer of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky said.
For gaming, parents should check the rating and whether it allows cross-play — where kids can communicate with strangers — and keep consoles in shared spaces, not bedrooms.
KSP is also warning about a fast-growing crime called sextortion. Predators convince children to send explicit photos — then threaten to share them unless they send more pictures or money.
Kentucky teen Elijah Heacock took his life earlier this year. After detectives found threatening sextortion messages on his phone.
“I don’t want another mother to ever face this,” his mother said. “This person was asking for $3,000 from a child.”
Police say artificial intelligence is making things worse — with predators using AI tools to create fake nude images of children.
“These are the ones being sent throughout the school and these kids are being cyber bullied," sergeant Zack Morris said.
Click here for free online safety coloring sheets for younger children. Watch the full 10-part video series on internet safety here.
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