Recently, the Arkansas State Police (ASP) warned parents to remain vigilant in identifying and preventing online predators from targeting children. This summer alone, the ASP has issued several missing/endangered alerts for missing children and teens, including five Amber Alerts since May. Disturbingly, several youth in Arkansas have been lured away by predators they encountered through online messaging apps.
In our increasingly digital world, it is more important than ever for parents to monitor their children’s online activities and educate them about the dangers of the internet. Major Stacie Rhoads, ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division Chief, warns that online predators often try to engage children and teenagers in inappropriate sexual conversations, arrange face-to-face meetings, or even send them explicit material and demand images in return.
During the 2023 regular session, the General Assembly passed House Bill 689, which prohibits social media companies from allowing minors in Arkansas to create new accounts without the explicit consent of a parent or guardian. The law requires age verification by a third-party, establishes liability for failure to do so, and provides penalties for violations. However, enforcement of the law has been delayed due to a legal challenge that is still pending in court.
Recently, the Governor sent a letter to Arkansas legislators urging us to continue our efforts to effectively restrict children’s use of social media platforms.
Resources to help parents protect their children from online predators and technology-enabled exploitation can be found at aricac.org. Schools, civic groups, and other organizations can also request online safety presentations through this site. To report suspicious online activity, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
