BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – State leaders and law enforcement officials are warning parents about the growing dangers children face online, urging families to take action before it’s too late.
The message came during an event Tuesday, March 24, led by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and Swaggart Ministries, where experts shared resources and strategies to help parents better protect their children.
For many parents, the threat is deeply personal.
“I had no idea all the things they had access to online,” said Carlene Rentz.
Concerns about social media and online platforms have grown as more cases involving children being targeted by predators come to light.
Just last week, authorities say a teenager from Zachary was abducted and later found in Oklahoma after being lured through a popular social site.
That case, among others, highlights the urgency behind efforts like Tuesday’s event, which aimed to equip parents with tools to prevent similar situations.
“If we need to scare people into understanding how serious this problem is, then that’s OK,” Attorney General Murrill said.
Panelists emphasized the importance of open communication between parents and children, encouraging families to talk honestly about online risks and establish trust.
They say that trust can make the difference in whether a child feels comfortable reporting suspicious or dangerous interactions.
Murrill said her office has already seen a sharp increase in reports this year.
“It used to be that we would have a couple thousand, but now we’re on track to have 100,000 this year,” Murrill said. “We’ve already matched last year’s total in just the first two months.”
Law enforcement officials say the threat is not only real but evolving.
Percy Giles, III, Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the FBI’s New Orleans Field Office, said some online groups are actively targeting children and manipulating them into harmful behavior.
“They’re getting them to do self-harm, mutilate themselves and take part in all types of dangerous activity,” Giles said.
He urged parents and community members to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious immediately.
“It’s important for the community to be aware, identify it and report it to law enforcement as soon as possible,” Giles said.
Gabriel Swaggart from Swaggart Ministries said he hopes parents leave with a sense of urgency and a willingness to have difficult conversations at home.
“We need to do something,” Swaggart said. “I don’t want people leaving saying it was a nice talk. I want them to have those hard discussions and know who their kids are talking to.”
Speakers stressed that awareness and early intervention are key to preventing tragedies.
“As parents, we have to do a better job protecting our kids,” Rentz said.
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