FBI Warns Oklahoma Parents To Be On The Lookout For Online Predators Targeting Children

FBI agents in Oklahoma said online predators are around every corner, thanks to the internet. Agents said they work around the clock to protect kids from being victims, but they say they can't do it alone.

"If the iPad is your babysitter, something has gone terribly wrong. Parents need to be monitoring what their kids are doing online,” said Connor Hagan with the FBI Public Affairs Office.

The FBI said parents have to be the first line of defense against child predators, not the FBI. If the FBI is called in to investigate, it means your child is probably already a victim.

"If the FBI is getting involved, we will be there to protect our children, help the victims and put the bad guys away, but we don't want those kids to be victims in the first place,” said Hagan.

Hagan said technology and the endless variety of social media apps have given predators easy access to children, and, most times, the parents have no idea until it is too late.

"We could have every agent in the division working this violation 24/7, every day of the year and we would still have predators out there. There are just so many different criminals out there that want to exploit children for their own selfish needs,” said Hagan.

Hagan said parents have to monitor their kids’ online activity. He said it’s not just social media apps, but predators use gaming sites to lure in and groom kids as well.

"The conversations between parents and kids are tough,” said Hagan. “Especially when we are talking internet safety and the dangers out there for kids. What's an even tougher conversation is when FBI agents or police officers are showing up to your house and explaining to your kid they might be a victim."

Hagan said there are red flags parents and kids need to know, such as someone asking for inappropriate photos, or giving your child excessive compliments.

"They are real red flags. When parents are seeing that they need to shut down the conversations,” said Hagan. “They need to get the kids off of that app."

Hagan said protecting kids from predators is never ending and has to be a team effort between law enforcement, parents and the kids themselves.