On today's episode of "Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes"-- Donna is joined bySpecial Agent Courtney Goode to discuss the grim reality of online crimes against children. They discuss law enforcement's role in combating sexual predators, traffickers, pornographers, and sextortionists who target children, and how to report suspicious activity. Their conversation underscores the need for parental involvement, early prevention, and offers practical tips on monitoring online behavior, establishing rules, and fostering open communication between parents and children.

See Enough Is Enough^®'s Quick Guides on topics shared including Sextortion 101,Cyberbullying 101, and Internet Predators and Sex Traffickers 101.

-- or listen online--

Grooming is a process where an individual or even a group will use manipulation tactics to exploit the child. And it usually involves building a relationship with them, much like we already build relationships with our children. These days, we see it on a gaming app... and then it moves onto gradual, sexual relationship... Once they have basically got the child on the hook per se, they'll then move them off of that application to another application like Kik, maybe Twitch or something else where they can chat with them and then continue to groom them."

- Special Agent Courtney Goode, Virginia State Police

 By the numbers:

• Younger and younger children are being targeted “on an industrial scale” by internet groomers. In 2021, there was a three-fold increase in imagery showing 7–10-year-olds who have been targeted and groomed by internet predators. (IWF, 2022)

•  4 in 10 minors (40%) said they have been approached online by someone they believe was attempting "to befriend and manipulate" them, with 47% of teen girls saying they have experienced this. (Thorn, April 2022)

• Reports for online enticement of children for sexual acts dramatically increased from 44,155 in 2021 to 186,819 in 2023; a 300% increase. (NCMEC, January 2024). 

• 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys say they have sent sexually explicit images; 40% of those surveyed believe this is normal behavior. (Thorn, 2019) 

See EIE's "Pornography 101 Quick Guide" here

'Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes' is available Thursdays at 2 pm ET on Voice America Radio Network. You can watch the podcast anytime at your convenience either through our podcast page or the podcast platform of your choice.

'Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes' is dedicated to equipping parents and guardians with up-to-date information, practical tips, and expert insights on a range of pressing topics. Hosted by Donna Rice Hughes, President and CEO of Enough Is Enough^®® (EIE) and a renowned internet safety expert, each episode will feature discussions on online predators, sex trafficking, pornography, social media, online gaming, Big Tech accountability, and current legislation designed to protect children in the digital age.