Stranger danger exists for teens, too

Parents begin to teach their children at a young age about “stranger danger,” but discontinue lessons as they grow. Without the knowledge of strangers, teenagers are more susceptible to predators. According to the FBI, teenagers are the most frequent victims of non-family abductions and are kidnapped within a quarter of a mile from their home. Human trafficking is a fast-growing criminal enterprise. One of Ohio’s largest cities, Toledo, ranks fourth in the country in human trafficking. According to the Polaris Project, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery, every year there are about 1,078 Ohio children who become victims and 3,016 who are at-risk. This amount can fill a large high school. Children, teenagers and young adults are vulnerable to predators. The most common age in Ohio for children to become victims of trafficking is 13 years old. Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which people profit from the control and exploitation of others. Traffickers prey on people who want a better life, are unemployed or have a history of abuse. They lure victims by promising a job, a loving relationship or new opportunities. In other cases, traffickers kidnap victims, or use physical violence or substances to capture victims. Parents need to have conversations with their children, of all ages, so they will become aware of sex trafficking and how to avoid becoming a victim. Social media apps, such as Tinder and Kik, are the current trend for predators to use. The Tinder app is described as the fun way to connect with new and interesting people around you. It is mainly used as a dating tool or an anonymous hook-up. People of all ages are using it; college students and young teens. The app is rated age 17 and up, but Tinder’s privacy allows teens as young as 13 to register. After “matching” a person, Tinder allows instant messaging. This app puts kids at risk for catfishing, sexual harassment, stalking and more. Posting pictures for strangers to see and potentially meeting them on whim is not something teenagers should be doing. The Kik app allows teens to connect with others using a username, instead of texting from a phone number. Like Tinder, this app is rated age 17 and up, but there is no age verification so anyone can download it. It is dangerous for teens to text people they don’t know. Many people use Kik to meet strangers for sexting. Strangers type in random names and text it, or look on Instagram profiles to see if people post their Kik name. Even if someone’s Instagram is private, their profile is public. Many social media apps are linked to inappropriate content, sexting, and potentially strangers meeting face-to-face. Starting as young as 10, children have access to these social media apps which makes them vulnerable to predators following and messaging them. Parents should not be hesitant to teach their kids about safety. Learning about safety doesn’t scare children, it empowers them. Share these tips with your children: Let your parents know what apps you are using. Always tell your parents where you’re heading and keep them updated on any plans that may suddenly change. Don’t travel alone. There is safety in numbers. Stay on the main routes and avoid shortcuts that take you through isolated areas. Be aware of other teenage lures. Instead of candy, you may be offered things like alcohol or drugs. Don’t meet strangers from social media. Don’t include other usernames on social media apps (i.e. on an Instagram profile, don’t include your Twitter, Snapchat or Kik usernames). Verify the authenticity of companies and job interviews. One of the most important tips trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. If someone does get a hold of you and tries to take you somewhere, do everything in your power to quickly get away and yell, “This person is trying to take me away!” Kaitlyn Boehler, intern, Mental Health and Recovery Services of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties