Forum focus: protecting youth from online threats, exploitation

EPHRATA — Last year, there were nearly 520,000 reports nationwide of online enticement aimed at children – an estimated increase of 80% from 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

With 96% of American teens visiting the internet daily, opportunities have risen dramatically to exploit – and be exploited – through social media, video games, dating and encrypted messaging apps, and artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. 

Those potential dangers were the focus of a public forum hosted last week at Ephrata High School by the school district in collaboration with Ephrata police, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Grant County Prosecutor’s Office, Renew behavioral health and wellness services of Grant County, and the North Central Educational Service District.

It was a follow-up to a town hall session held a year ago that addressed gang influence and violence among young people.

The problems are real, and they are here, agreed representatives from those agencies.

“The school district wants families to recognize that local students are being affected by online threats and violence within the community,” said Ephrata schools superintendent Ken Murray.

“There is a sense of urgency ... to address that and share knowledge,” he said. 

Parkway Elementary principal Kim Gilreath spoke of an 11-year-old student whose mother saw the child putting on makeup and styling her hair. When questioned, the girl initially said she was going for a walk, but then admitted she was going to “meet someone” who turned out to be an older male communicating through TikTok.

“The mom didn’t know what to do,” said Gilreath, but school officials became aware of the situation and notified police.

Sheriff’s Det. Katrina Ball, an internet crimes investigator, said kids are developing addictive behavior at a young age through excessive use of social media. That can affect mental health and leave them vulnerable to online exploitation.

An example might be social media “challenges,” such as the “Tide Pod Challenge” — swallowing packets of laundry detergent — that resulted in thousands of emergency room visits for children under age 18.

And young people will model adult behavior.

Audience member Rock Witte, a retired Ephrata schools maintenance/facilities supervisor, bluntly observed: if parents are addicted to their phones, how can they be expected to monitor their children?

“As adults, we’ve allowed this to happen,” he said.

Murray conceded, “As adults, our examples aren’t always the best.” 

The reality is, kids have this technology “and they can’t get away from it,” said Hunter McLeod, a threat assessment coordinator for the regional educational service district.

“But we can get in front of it,” said McLeod, noting her household has a “6 p.m. turnoff rule” for electronic devices.

The online threats are myriad, said Ball.

Sexting — posting and sharing nude images, either real or AI deepfakes — “is happening a lot” among young people, she said.

Some are nonchalant about the practice, unaware of its potentially damaging, long-term consequences. But involvement — as a willing participant or unwilling victim — can result in humiliation, bullying, school discipline, police involvement, blackmail, and worse, said Ball.

She shared the news story of a Michigan couple whose son thought he met an attractive female online and was persuaded to send explicit photos of himself. But it was actually a ruse by three foreign blackmailers who demanded $1,000 from the teen. 

Rather than confide in his parents or a trusted adult, the boy informed his blackmailers that he only managed to come up with $300. They said that was not enough and threatened to share the photos online. Fearing that, the boy committed suicide instead.  

Males in particular can feel very ashamed and reluctant to come forward and confide such personal dilemmas, said Ball.

WHO’S AT RISK?

Authorities say children who appear isolated, seek validation, or show signs of family problems may be the most vulnerable.

Through online media, exploiters — who hide their true identities — first establish trust through perceived shared interests. They often suggest moving to private, often encrypted,  communication platforms, then create a dependent relationship or “grooming” that drives a wedge between the victim and their families. Control over the victim is established through a combination of promises and threats.

Some of the most heinous offenders persuade young people to create violent content or engage in criminal acts, sadistic behaviors against animals, abuse of younger siblings, self harm, and suicide.

Ball spoke of a female teen who was coerced into pressuring a 13-year-old boy from Gig Harbor into eventually taking his own life. 

At times, local police have responded to calls from parents who said their child became unusually upset or aggressive when their phone or device was taken away.

Ephrata police Capt. Troy Froewiss was among those who spoke of warning signs that parents should heed.

Those include sudden changes in their child’s:

—  appearance, behavior, eating or sleeping habits;

— becoming withdrawn or stop communicating with family members;

— talk of self-harm or harming others;

— observing text messages or phone calls about their child from unknown numbers;

—  unexplained gifts or packages arriving at the home for a child.

— quickly switching screens or closing programs on phones or computers;

— avoiding discussions about their online usage.

And kids themselves may want to share concerns more often than adults might realize, said Gilreath.

“If you see something, say something,” said McLeod.

SO, WHAT’S A PARENT TO DO?

Speak out, be proactive, model good behavior, and strive to maintain open relationships and communications with their kids, said Jared De Trolio and Lanny Abundiz, crisis intervention specialists with Renew.

Other suggestions: identify a “trusted adult” — parent, teacher, coach, neighbor — that a child can reliably turn to if needed. Also, keep kids active, get them outside, involve them with groups and teams, follow established schedules. 

Ball said parents can encourage their children to be “an uplifter” — someone who espouses “good choices” to their peers. And, she said, parents should use the controls on a child’s phone to monitor their activities.

And when in doubt, don’t be afraid to reach out for advice, from schools, law enforcement, or trusted information sources, said Froewiss.

One audience member asked, “How do we train parents to talk?”

Ball acknowledged that not all parents will have conversations with their children or monitor their devices.  

Gilreath said Ephrata school personnel are discussing whether the topic could be addressed with parents during student orientation sessions at the start of the school year. There is also consideration of law enforcement coming to schools for student presentations, said Ball and Carlee Bittle, Grant County’s chief deputy criminal prosecutor.

Bittle said it’s important for both parents and kids to understand the serious consequences that can result from improper online conduct. 

Nude images, AI fakes, and other sexual-oriented materials, particularly involving minors, could constitute illegal pornography, whether it’s shared or simply stored on a phone.

“A parent may not be aware until they get a phone call from a detective,” said Bittle. “If you love them, do you want them to go to prison? Look at your kids’ phones.”

More information on promoting digital safety and reporting improper content and possible criminal violations are available at these sites:

√ NoFiltr (promoting digital safety for youth):  https://nofiltr.org/

√ Project Guardian (offers free school and community presentations on internet safety): https://www.projectguardianusa.org/

√ North Central Educational Service District: https://www.esd123.org/services/safety_center

√ National Center for Missing or Exploited Children: https://www.missingkids.org/home

√ NCMEC CyberTipline: https://report.cybertip.org/

√ FBI internet crimes: https://www.ic3.gov/