Once limited to luring victims off the streets, human traffickers have adapted with the times and now use the internet as one of their primary hunting grounds. The rise of social media provides these predators with unlimited access to lure unsuspecting victims into a dangerous underground world. Some of today's children spend more time online than they do in public parks and playgrounds.
A sad reality is the average age a child enters the sex trade in the United States is 13. Because children are receiving connected devices at very young ages, it is important for parents to begin online safety discussions early. In addition, parents should implement sound rules for internet use the moment their children receive these devices.