The digital stalker; a new kind of danger

I have talked a few times in the past about safety tips involving children with phones, computers and access to media devices. But we continue to work cases that involve a minor’s use of their phone and online accounts, often without the knowledge of the parent or guardian. There is no question that children today are far more advanced in the media world then they were in years past. Owning a cell phone has changed from being a rare thing used for emergencies to nearly everyone — including most children — having one on them all the time.

We once had a parent give us their child’s phone for evidence purposes in a case we were working, and the child started reacting like they were having some sort of medical emergency. Labored breathing, wailing and falling to the ground were just some of the “phone withdrawl” symptoms the child was having.

Although we rely on our smartphones more and more, many adults still view their cell phone as a device for calling, texting and views the other stuff that comes with it as a bonus which helps us along the way. But to many of the children who have grown up with smartphones, it is not just a device, it is the record book, gateway and key to their existence on this planet. In their mind, they cannot get by without their phone.

As I have mentioned before, regular checks of your child’s phone are not only legal, it is good practice for younger children. We find many parents do not realize they can check their child’s phone or computer and who have no idea what they are doing online. When this subject comes up, I like to ask the parent if they would drop their child off in a strange town and let them wander off on their own. Of course, the answer is always no, but what they do not realize is that there is an entire world in the digital community and it is easy to overlook because the dangers we are used to watching out for are not there. We are used to watching out for their surroundings, who are they with, have they come home on time. If your child is in your home where you can see them, you get a feeling of safety for your child. But if they are on a computer or phone, that no longer means they are safe.

If you search for something online you are looking to purchase, you will start seeing that item in most of your feeds. Facebook, news apps, almost any place that advertises, will start showing ads for what you have searched for.

You also would have noticed that almost any app you download onto your phone will ask you a few questions, one of which is “allow this app to track your location even when the app is closed.” Most of these apps are using that data for marketing purposes, but just because an app is available does not mean it is safe. There are apps that collect data from your phone including what you type, pictures, addresses, and shares that info with others.

Some basic things to check when monitoring a child’s phone are: the apps they are using, are they from a trusted company? What social media accounts do they have? Who are they friends with on those accounts? After checking on those items, one of the most important things to check is the setting on the phone. Most smartphones will let you decide what apps can have access to the information on the phone. You can also control who and what can have the location of the phone. We have become a digital world and there are many benefits that come with it, but it also has its dangers.

We have had many parents come to us with questions about certain apps they have found on their child’s phone or about the ability to change the settings on them. If anyone needs help or advice regarding such a device, we have people at the sheriff’s office who are more than willing to assist. Our children’s safety is everyone’s priority, and we are here to help!