The Electronic Crimes Branch of the Kentucky State Police has partnered with Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky to produce a series of videos to help parents protect their children online.
At his weekly press conference, Governor Andy Beshear said that children are our most precious gift, so we must do everything we can to protect them, including when they go online. He said, “As we all know, this generation of kids is more online than any generation before them. It’s important we teach kids, parents and caregivers about online safety.”
The announcement comes on the heels of a civil lawsuit filed by Attorney General Russell Coleman on behalf of the Commonwealth against online gaming platform Roblox. General Coleman said the platform is a haven for child predators.
Beshear said the videos provide practical advice to help prevent children from seeing content or interacting with individuals they shouldn’t.
“There are ten videos on Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky‘s website under the resource tab,” Beshear stated. “All ten can be viewed in less than 45 minutes. The Kentucky State Police and our local law enforcement agencies have also been working vigilantly to bring child predators to justice.”
Beshear claimed that during his tenure as Attorney General, his office arrested more child predators than any of his predecessors, and he has continued that priority while serving as Governor.
“Since taking office in 2019, Kentucky State Police have arrested 474 online predators for internet-related crimes against Kentucky’s children,” the Governor noted. “That includes child pornography, online enticement, child sex trafficking, child exploitation, production and distribution of explicit material involving minors.”
This month alone, the KSP Electronic Crimes Branch has made three major arrests for illegal online activity involving children.
“Our message is clear,” Beshear stated. “Prey on children online or in person, we will find you, we will arrest you, we will incarcerate you. We want to keep every one of Kentucky’s children safe. We will not stop until we find you. This work will continue, so that every kid can grow up healthy, happy and safe.”
Find the online safety training at pcaky.org/internet-safety.
