Investigator Jeremy Stanley spends much of his day on Facebook, trying to protect children from online predators. He’s one of their Internet Crimes Against Children investigators. He says the social media website become the number one place predators target children.
"If you're a predator that lives in Henry County, Virginia, it's simple. You put in Martinsville and you can start going through names,” said Stanley.
Facebook works in their favor too. Predators have to post their names and photos, making it easier for investigators to identify suspects. Also Facebook management cooperates with law enforcement to help catch predators.
Last week they arrested 40-year-old Kary Lee Taylor Jr. for using Facebook to meet a 12 year old girl for sex.
"The predator was using his droid phone to try to solicit a meeting so it makes it even easier because now you can be mobile,” said Stanley.
Stanley says you really need to monitor your children online and he says just being their Facebook friend isn't enough.
"You need to have their log in and their password so you can monitor and check it. It's not being nosey. It's not being over protective. It's just being a good parent,” said Stanley.
He says parents need to talk to your kids about these dangers.
- Tell them to not accept friend requests from people they aren't friends with
- Tell them to never meet someone from Facebook they don't know
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