Partners Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) is an anti-trafficking organization that works with victims of the sex industry. Whenever there is a major shift in the world – such as the coronavirus pandemic — new dangers pop up. For one, sexual traffickers/predators find new ways to capitalize on the chaos by targeting underage victims through a variety of channels. Another danger for our children is increased exposure to sexually explicit materials.

We at PATH want to educate parents about these dangers and help you safeguard your children in these unique times. Here are five things parents can do to protect their children:

1. Have open but age-appropriate conversations with your children.
   Some of you may be thinking, “When I’m talking to my kids about what to do if they come in contact with a predator, I want them to be scared! They need to understand how serious something like this is!” However, parenting author and speaker Dr. Justin Coulson counters this instinct. “Scare tactics might make sense from our perspective, but they tend to intimidate our children and lead them away from making wise decisions.” Give your children all the information they need, and even practice and rehearse what they should do in different scenarios, but avoid intimidation.

2. Check your children’s social media and online gaming privacy settings, and check them frequently.
   Many children are spending more time on social media right now, due to an increase in free time. Many are also dealing with uncertainty and anxiety as well, leading them to make posts that showcase their insecurities and vulnerability. Traffickers look for these kinds of posts made by vulnerable children, posts like: “I need to get out of here.” “Nobody gets me.” “I am so ugly.” Traffickers will initiate contact with these vulnerable children, grooming them to eventually meet up.

   Our children have also been largely isolated from their friends and are craving social interaction. One of the ways they look for that interaction is through online gaming which allows them to talk to other players, whether they know them or not. As with social media, predators also use online gaming, but this platform is often overlooked.

3. Remind your children not to message anyone they have not met in person.
   If you don’t tell them this, they won’t magically understand why they shouldn’t message that other “kid” who keeps trying to make contact or that nice adult who just wants to know how they’re handling the quarantine. Beyond just setting and checking privacy settings, frequently remind your children not to message or respond to any messages sent by anyone that they haven’t met in person.

4. Teach your children how to use a password and turn off recordings for virtual meetings.
   A lot of us adults have learned and used an app called Zoom (or apps like it) for work, church and social meetings. And it’s not just adults who are using Zoom. A lot of our children are scheduling Zoom meetings with their friends. PATH’s Executive Director, Louise Allison, described the new phenomenon of “zoombombing” recently in a post on PATH’s Facebook page. She wrote, “These intruders, known as ‘Zoombombers,’ have been able to enter a number of unsecured Zoom meetings with the intent of disruption and exploitation. Some are sending nude images of themselves and/or sharing recorded pornography to the call’s participants — many of these calls have included young children.”

   To prevent these kinds of intrusions, use a password when setting up meetings and turn off recordings. Again, discuss with your children why this is important, and check to make sure they have set up meetings safely.

5. Set parental controls on your children’s devices and check in frequently.
   As the publication Psychology Today has pointed out, porn usage is up in the midst of the pandemic. Our children have more time on their hands, and many of them have learned to use porn as a coping mechanism. PATH director Louise Allison points out, “Where there is an increase of supply, there will be an increase in demand, and in most cases pornography is trafficking happening on camera.”

   Set up parental controls on your children’s devices and check on those controls and them frequently. 

PATH’s mission is to advocate for those victimized by the sex-industry by providing a safe environment where healing can occur, making success possible and dreams achievable. To learn more about PATH and its services or to donate, visit pathsaves.org. Nick Starnes is the Development Director.