The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrests of 22 men as part of an online child solicitation sting called Operation Safe Summer.
JSO Department of Investigations & Homeland Security Director Nick Burgos said Wednesday that detectives went on the internet pretending to be 13- to 15-year-old boys and girls.
“Once communication was established with the suspects online, meeting locations were established. When the suspects arrived at those prearranged locations for the encounter with the presumed minor, they were taken into custody by law enforcement officers,”
The 22 suspects range in age from 19 to 49. Most of them from Duval County, although some traveled from as far away as Orlando. They’ve been charged with numerous felonies, including soliciting a minor for sex.
Burgos said it’s important for parents to pay attention to what their kids are doing online.
“Individuals who are trolling the internet are not always who they pretend to be and our children can never be certain of the identity or the intentions of strangers who attempt to communicate with them online.”
JSO has put together a list of online safety tips for kids, teens and parents:
• Make sure your parents know when you are online and what you are doing.
• Never give out any personal information to anyone in chat rooms, apps or on social media.
• Never send a picture to anyone over the internet without your parent’s permission.
• Never communicate with someone who makes you feel uncomfortable or scared.
• Never meet with anyone you communicate with online without your parents’ permission.
• Tell your parents right away if you receive any inappropriate communications or see anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Remember that the people you meet online may not be who they say they are.
***Tips for Parents: Remember parental involvement is the key ingredient to Internet Child Safety.
• Know what your children are doing online. Spend time exploring the internet together so they can learn the good and bad things the internet has to offer with your guidance.
• Know what websites your kids frequent.
• Become a technology savvy parent. Learn the basics of the internet, apps and social media.
• Actively research child internet safety and have an open discussion with your kids on the topic.
• Develop a family agreement or plan on internet use so they know the rules and boundaries. Set time limits and enforce the rules you have set.
• Take advantage of internet filters and other technology that will block inappropriate websites.
• Keep computers in common areas of the home.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.
