The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Northern Alabama observed National Missing Children's Day last month, in part, by providing summer safety tips for children in a news release issued the same day.
In a May 25 news release, U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and FBI special agent in charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. provided advice about how to keep children safe, online and off.
FBI special agent Johnnie Sharp Jr.
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"As a parent of young children, I am concerned about providing a safe environment for children," Escalona said in the news release. "As the U.S. attorney, I also realize that there are predators who work overtime to take advantage of children's vulnerabilities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will do our part to prosecute those who victimize our children, and we urge parents and caregivers to do their part through education and awareness."
In his comments, Sharp referred to the "unfortunate reality" that thousands of children are victims of crime every year, "whether through kidnappings, violent attacks, sexual abuse or online predators."
"While I want to encourage parents to stay vigilant in protecting their children, the citizens of North Alabama can rest assured knowing that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue those who would take advantage of our most vulnerable population," Sharp said.
President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Missing Children's Day on May 25, 1983, in memory of Etan Patz, a 6-year-old boy who disappeared from a New York City street corner on May 25, 1979. "National Missing Children’s Day is dedicated to encouraging parents, guardians, caregivers, and others concerned with the well-being of children to make child safety a priority," the news release said.
The news release referred to late spring, when the school year ends and many families are planning summer activities, in providing a nine-point list of safety tips to "help ensure that children are being cared for under the watchful eyes of trusted and vetted adults."
Among other matters, parents should know their childcare providers and choose babysitters, nannies and tutors with care, the release noted. Parents also should research camp and other summer programs before enrolling their children.
"Ask if a background screening check is completed on the individuals working with the children," the news release said. "Talk to your children about safety and encourage them to tell you or another trusted adult if anyone or anything makes them feel sad, scared, or confused. Teach them it is OK to tell you what happened, and they will not be 'tattletales' for telling."
The news release also provided a list of online safety tips and recommended parents be mindful of online safety during summer, when children "have an increased online presence."
"The most important advice for parents is to have open and ongoing conversations about safe and appropriate online behavior," the news release said.
Among other things, parents should educate themselves about the websites, software, games and apps that their children use online and to monitor their children's Internet use, social media and gaming profiles and posts.
"Explain to your kids that once images or comments are posted online, they can be shared with anyone and never truly disappear," the news release said. "Make sure children know that anyone who asks a child to engage in sexually explicit activity online should be reported to a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult and law enforcement. Make it a rule with your kids that they can’t arrange to meet up with someone they met online without your knowledge and supervision."
The news release also cautioned that the FBI has noted "a huge increase" in cases involving children and teens being coerced and threatened into sending explicit images online, a crime referred to as "sextortion."
The FBI also has developed the Child ID app to help in child abduction cases.
Anyone who seeks more information about the FBI's guidance on child exploitation and how parents can protect their kids may visit a special page on the bureau's website.
