Cochrane and Area Victim Services is reminding parents to keep a close eye on what their kids are doing online. 

During the last month, there has been a significant increase in the time that kids are spending online, and understandably so with a shift to online learning.

There has also been a reported increase in Internet Child Exploitation in the province over the last month.

With children being home from school, not only are they spending more time online, but it appears that so are predators. 

Lauren Delahunt is the Executive Director of Cochrane and Area Victim Services and she says that it is crucial that parents are aware of the sites their kids are frequenting, as well as make it their business to know who they are interacting with.

''On the other end of that computer screen, somebody could be saying they are a child and instead it could be someone in their 40s or 50s trying to gain the trust of our kids and groom them.''

Delahunt says that in addition to monitoring your kids' online usage it is imperative to educate them on the dangers associated with the internet.

She says ''You really need to have that communication with your children about what's safe and what's not safe and what is acceptable normal online behaviour. Those can be some important steps in keeping our kids safe.''

Delahunt says that parents need to trust their gut instincts and if you are noticing a change in behaviour and online patterns then it is important to question why. She says ''Watching our children and seeing if there are any major marked changes in their behaviour is a big thing. If you notice them using their devices late at night, or a change in their mood after being online, these can be indicators that something else more serious happening.''

In March The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team`s Internet Child Exploitation Unit received  243 reported instances of online child exploitation in Alberta. That far exceeds the unit’s two-year average of roughly 110.

Delahunt is encouraging parents to do their research and know-how to recognize if their child is in danger.

She says that Cochrane and Area Victim Services have online resources and are available to help.

 

 

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