PORTLAND, OR -- There have been a number of recent cases of children being lured by strangers online to either meet in person or send explicit photos of themself. The FBI’s Portland office urges parents to take steps now to protect children from online predators:

Be involved and understand your child’s internet activity. Know the devices your child has access to and familiarize yourself with the social media sites, apps, and online games they use to communicate with their friends. Get involved in your kids’ online world to understand what they do online and who they communicate with.

Set clear rules and closely monitor your child’s online activity. And designate one place in the home where your children are allowed to access the internet. Discuss internet safety with children of all ages when they begin to engage in online activity and use internet enabled devices. Many people online are not who they say they are, never communicate with people you don’t know. 

Teach children to communicate only with people they know in real life; friends they see regularly and trusted relatives.  

If your child becomes a victim, the FBI suggests calling the local field office or police and don’t try to take matters into your own hands.