Child Rescue Coalition, Inc.

The internet is a central part of teen culture -- and it's here to stay. Rather than trying to avoid the very real risks, we have to leave the awkwardness and embarrassment at the door and have conversations with kids that can help protect them online. Our friends at the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) get it. They've launched the Think Before you Share campaign to encourage young people, parents and teachers to open the lines of conversation about hard topics including online safety, grooming, nudes and sextortion. Their service, Report Remove, empowers young people to stop their imagery being shared on the internet and to take action against threats of sexual extortion. We applaud their efforts to meet teens where they are -- without shame -- and to make the internet a safer place to be a kid. If you're under 18 and need help removing your image from the internet, visit thinkbeforeyoushare.org for help.

Recent research found that 40 percent of kids lack strong emotional bonds with their parents (source: The Chronicle). It's a startling figure, especially since we know that strong parent-child communication is linked to less risky behaviors, particularly in the teenage years. So how do you balance a teen's growing desire for privacy with your responsibility to keep them safe? According to our Director of Core Technology and Academia, Tom Farrell, it's simple -- get talking. Open, honest and frequent communication is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do as a parent to educate your kids about online safety risks. It also builds the foundation for them to come to you if they encounter tricky situations or make a mistake. Learn how to talk to your kids about online safety at any age on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eis_v89b

Gaming isn't inherently bad -- but it does mean that kids will be exposed to strangers on the internet. Chat features are commonly exploited by predators to gain access to kids, build trust, and sometimes, move them to a more private or accessible platform where they can send photos and videos. Do you know who your kids are talking to while gaming? Have you talked about the potential dangers and ways to stay safe while they play? Watch for these grooming signs, and communicate honestly and openly with your child about boundaries and red flags they should be aware of online. And learn how to safeguard your family in our free ebook! Our experts and investigators have shared their top tips for keeping kids safe online, including breakdowns of dangers and safety settings of some popular gaming platforms. Get your copy today: https://lnkd.in/enf2hz_9

We are making a difference and will not govern up!

Talking to your kids about online dangers and sexual predators is essential, but what do you say? How do you convey the reality honestly, but keep the conversation age-appropriate?  To answer that question, we teamed up with @mamawithabadge, a retired Internet Crimes Against Children investigator, who spent two decades in law enforcement educating communities on internet safety. Moe's message is clear: We HAVE to be talking to our kids about these tough topics early and often -- and it doesn't have to be scary. She's taken the daunting task of talking to kids about online predators and broken it down into easy-to-follow conversation starters that you can use for every age group. Get the conversation starters and tips on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eis_v89b

In a recent sprint hosted by Europol, Child Rescue Coalition, in collaboration with 32 investigators and child protection partners, took part in a week-long operation targeting the highest harm offenders in the child abuse space where 197 buyers were identified. Child Rescue Coalition's technology was able to help law enforcement partners identify and investigate live streaming offenders and deconflict their efforts. We know that there are tens of thousands of LDCA (live distance child abuse) happening around the world and each offender can be responsible for sexually abusing children a countless number of times. "I am thankful for the opportunity to have represented CRC at the Europol sprint. Training and working with such dedicated professionals whose mission is to safeguard children and arrest high harm offenders is such an honor. Putting CRC’s technology in the hands of this global coalition of law enforcement officers will make a significant impact in the fight against LDCA." - Michael McGonigle, CRC's Director of Special Projects and Industry Outreach We are grateful and value the work being done together, with HSI, Tim Tebow Foundation, ICMEC and worldwide law enforcement partners to rescue and protect innocent children worldwide.

Today we celebrate the gift of freedom and the sacrifices made to keep it. As Peter Marshall once said, "May we think of freedom not as the right to do what we please, but the opportunity to do what is right." Happy Independence Day!

A South Florida middle school teacher, who also works at a summer camp, is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material. Deputies began looking into Quinton Isaiah Womack Wedlaw, 25, after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that he had uploaded child sexual abuse material. More than 25 files were found, ten of which were videos depicting 10-12 year old children being sexually abused. It's unclear if Womack Wedlaw created any of the files found on his device. He now faces 10 felony charges. Cases like this demonstrate the importance of speaking up! If you suspect or come into contact with exploitative or abusive child content, please report it to @ncmec via their CyberTipline - report.cybertip.org. (source: WPLG) Read the full news story: https://lnkd.in/ezBfKPpv

Do you have device-free zones in your home? Child protection experts around the world agree -- you should. Designate spaces where devices can't go, like bedrooms, bathrooms and the dinner table. Not only will this help your family stay more present and connected, but it also removes the privacy needed to engage in dangerous behaviors online. Get more tips from our online safety experts on our blog. https://lnkd.in/eqagw3ct