OSBI Warning Parents Of Child Exploitation

Agents at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) said child exploitation in Oklahoma is on the rise. In 2014, 830 cases were reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the state and in 2015 it jumped to almost 1,000.

Moore resident and mom of four Mary Stanley, only allows her oldest child on social media. And she said she has made a habit of keeping tabs on the 16-year-old's accounts.

“I’m constantly going who’s this? Who is this person? How do you know this person?” she explained.

They're the kinds of questions OSBI Special Agent Jordan Solorzano said need to be asked, because after what she's witnessed as part of investigating crimes against children on the internet, protection against predators takes precedence.

“Parents may think that they can trust their children and give them privacy and let them do their own thing, but most people are exploited by people that they know and so their inhibitions may be lower,” Solorzano said. “And that person is probably more able to talk them into taking a picture of themselves and sending it out.”

Solorzano recommended parents adjust computer settings to help block bad web sites, steer clear of apps that automatically delete photos and conversations, report any activity if your child becomes a victim.

Kids can also report any suspicious activity themselves through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s web site cybertipline.com or by phone 1-800-thelost.