NORTHERN KENTUCKY (WXIX) – Authorities in Kentucky are warning parents about the apps predators use to speak to children.
Both the Mason County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police posted warnings about apps like Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram and Kik.
“The amount of information that can be shared from these apps is frightening,” Mason County Sheriff Ryan Swolsky told FOX19 NOW. “We know that it’s a problem. It’s a problem across the state and honestly the country for that matter.”
KSP Trooper Kearney says police have recently recovered several missing children who were allegedly lured by online predators and found out of state.
“All these apps will allow strangers to communicate with your children as long as they create profile,” Sheriff Swolsky explained.
The sheriff says his office is currently investigating a Florida man who made contact with a minor in Mason County through one of the apps.
“He did end up communicating with a juvenile on her cell phone. Luckily parents became aware of it, and we were able to jump in and investigate and shut it down,” he said.
Sheriff Swolsky says children often don’t know who they are talking to and predators often pretend to be juveniles.
“Most of the time these predators are coming from far away and they are enticing – again, they’re enticing these juveniles to come meet them somewhere often in exchange for material goods or money,” he explained.
These apps can be worrisome for parents, the sheriff continued, and he encourages them to monitor their children’s cellphone use.
As for the man in Florida, Sheriff Swolsky says he has not been charged yet, but investigators are working with authorities there now.
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