Online Safety
The internet is a powerful tool for learning, connection, and entertainment. Unfortunately, it is also a place where predators target children and teens.
Here are some important statistics: Online child exploitation is among the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S., and children are frequent targets.
Over 50 million U.S. children and teens are online.
Among them:
- 1 in 12 worldwide have experienced some form of online sexual exploitation or abuse
- 1 in 4 U.S. teens report receiving a sexual solicitation online
- 36% have been asked by someone they only knew online to share sexual images, and more than half of these requests happened within the first day of contact
- Reports of online enticement have risen over 300% in just the last few years
Tragically, most of these incidents go unreported, leaving children vulnerable and predators undetected.
Parental supervision matters:
- Nearly 1 in 5 teens say their parents rarely or never monitor what they do online.
- Most parents ease up on monitoring once kids reach their mid-teens—yet the majority of online exploitation cases involve youth ages 15–17.
- More than 60% of young people say their parents know little or nothing about the apps, games, or websites they use.
In short: the more you know about your child’s online activity, the safer they are.
Dangers to Children Online
Children can encounter a variety of risks online, including exposure to harmful or illegal content, scams, and exploitation. Some sites and users:
- Promote violence, hate, or illegal activity
- Encourage drug use or provide instructions for dangerous acts
- Solicit personal information for criminal purposes
- Distribute pornography, including child exploitation material
- Attempt to build trust with children in order to meet them in person
Chat rooms, messaging apps, and some online games can be especially dangerous, as predators often pose as other kids to gain trust.
Warning Signs
Be alert for signs your child might be at risk online, including:
- Spending long hours online, especially at night
- Quickly switching screens when someone enters the room
- Receiving calls, gifts, or messages from strangers
- Downloading unknown photos or files
- Becoming secretive or withdrawn about online activity
- Using accounts or devices that do not belong to them
Tips for Parents
- Place computers and devices in common areas of the home.
- Learn how to use the internet and the apps your children use.
- Spend time online with your children and ask about their favorite sites.
- Set clear rules for online activity, including time limits.
- Teach children not to share personal information or photos.
- Keep accounts in your name and know your child’s passwords.
- Avoid allowing children to enter private chat rooms.
- Never allow your child to meet an online contact in person without your supervision and in a public place.
- Use parental controls and monitoring software, but don’t rely on them alone.
- Watch for changes in behavior that could signal something is wrong.
Chat Lingo
Online communication—especially in chats, games, and social media—often uses abbreviations, slang, and symbols that may be unfamiliar to parents. Some of these can be harmless, but others may signal risky behavior, hidden conversations, or inappropriate content.
Examples of common and concerning chat terms include:
- POS – Parent over shoulder (child is alerting someone you are watching)
- PIR – Parent in room
- 53X – Sex
- WTTP – Want to trade pictures?
- LMIRL – Let’s meet in real life
- 9 – Parent is watching (sometimes used in gaming chats)
- KPC – Keeping parents clueless
- MOS – Mom over shoulder
- 420 – Marijuana use
Even everyday terms can be used in coded ways, so staying informed is key.
What you can do:
- Search “teen chat lingo” regularly to stay updated.
- Ask your child what unfamiliar terms mean—see how they explain them.
- Keep communication open so your child feels comfortable talking about what they see online.
Cybercrime Awareness
Cybercrime can affect anyone, including adults, teens, and even young children. Criminals use the internet to steal personal information, commit fraud, distribute illegal content, and target victims for exploitation. In Marshall County, our office works closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute cybercrimes, but prevention starts with awareness.
Common types of cybercrime include:
- Online scams and fraud – Phishing emails, fake job postings, and fraudulent websites designed to steal money or information
- Identity theft – Using stolen personal details to open accounts, make purchases, or commit other crimes in your name
- Cyberbullying and harassment – Using social media, texting, or gaming platforms to threaten, intimidate, or humiliate others
- Online child exploitation – Predators using the internet to groom, solicit, or exploit minors
- Hacking and malware – Breaking into devices or networks to steal data or cause damage
What you can do to protect yourself and your family:
- Use strong, unique passwords for each account
- Keep devices and software updated
- Avoid clicking unknown links or downloading unexpected attachments
- Be cautious when sharing personal information online
- Talk openly with children about safe online behavior
Report Cybercrime:
- Local Law Enforcement – Contact your city police department or the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) – https://www.ic3.gov/ .This is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center where you can report online scams, fraud, and other cybercrimes
Resources for Parents
These trusted sites and tools can help you protect your child online, talk about safety, and find support if needed.
Report & Respond
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – CyberTipline Call 1-800-THE-LOST or report online at: https://report.cybertip.org/ Use this to report suspected child exploitation, sexual abuse images, or other crimes against children.
- Take It Down https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/ A free, anonymous service for youth under 18 to help remove explicit images of themselves from the internet.
Understanding & Teaching Online Safety
- NetSmartz https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz Educational videos, activities, and guides for parents.
- NetSmartzKids https://www.netsmartzkids.org/ Games, activities, and kid-friendly lessons about internet safety.
- Trusted Adult Guide (PDF) https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/missingkids/pdfs/trustedadult.pdf Helps children identify safe, trustworthy adults they can turn to if something makes them uncomfortable online or offline.
- Common Sense Media https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ Reviews of apps, games, movies, and TV shows, along with tech safety tips for families.
- Trend Micro Internet Safety Webinars https://internetsafety.trendmicro.com/ Free training on online safety, safe gaming, and digital life topics for parents and caregivers.
- Thorn for Parents https://www.thorn.org/for-parents/ App safety guides, gaming information, and digital safety resources.
- NoFiltr https://www.nofiltr.org/ A youth-centered site from Thorn that covers healthy relationships, online boundaries, and tech safety.
- Bark Blog & Parent Guides https://www.bark.us/blog/ Articles and step-by-step safety guides for apps, devices, and parental control settings.
Preventing Bullying
- StopBullying.gov https://www.stopbullying.gov/ Federal resource for understanding, preventing, and responding to bullying and cyberbullying.
Protecting Privacy & Security
- OnGuardOnline.gov (FTC) https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0038-onguardonline Tips on internet safety, avoiding scams, and protecting personal information.
Real Cases
The Marshall County District Attorney’s Office has prosecuted cases where children were targeted online. These cases remind us that dangers are real and close to home—not just somewhere else. By being informed, you can help prevent the next tragedy.
State v/s Mario Antonio Rocha-Placensi
The Marshall County District Attorney’s Office has prosecuted multiple cases where children were targeted online—proof that these dangers are real and can happen right here at home.
In June 2024, a Marshall County jury convicted Mario Antonio Rocha-Placensia of traveling to meet who he believed was a child for sex and of electronic solicitation of a child. The conviction followed an undercover operation by the Albertville Police Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, our office, and federal partners, with assistance from Covenant Rescue Group.
While no actual child was involved in this sting, the intent was clear—and the outcome could have been devastating. This case is a reminder that predators are in our communities, and that law enforcement and the public must remain vigilant to protect our children.