The internet is always changing, causing navigation of the digital world to be risky. With more and more young people using the internet in various ways, the chances of encounters scammers increase significantly, which also then translates to video game chatting online. Monmouth Police Department Investigator Josh Kramer advises parents on being aware who their children are conversing with:
“The gaming platforms where you think you are conversing with another twelve-year-old and they start to build confidence, you start having outside conversations, whether it be on other platforms, and they just build that relationship. Reality is you could be talking to somebody that is thousands of miles away, maybe not even in this country, that is going to want to set you up and make things sound really good. They might even provide you payments online to buy stuff, to get their attention. Next thing you know they are wanting to meet somewhere and then it is all over with from that point.”
Investigator Kramer also brings to attention that when downloading apps to your phone, computer, or gaming device, whether for your children or yourself, limit the information of what is to be shared; give that app the bare minimum of what it may ask for.
