CENTRE– Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Josh Summerford is urging parents to take an active role in their children’s online lives as a new school year begins.
Summerford said internet access creates valuable opportunities for children. However, it also gives predators a way to reach them through phones and tablets.
“Every day, law enforcement sees cases where adults hide behind fake profiles, pretending to be children or teenagers to gain a young person’s trust,” Summerford said. “What starts as a simple conversation can quickly turn into manipulation, exploitation, or blackmail.”
He warned that offenders can be patient and calculated while targeting children. Therefore, he encouraged parents to know who their children communicate with and which apps they use.
Summerford said parents should remind children that people online may not be who they claim to be. Children should also know they can report uncomfortable or threatening interactions to a trusted adult.
He urged students to speak with a parent, teacher, or school resource officer if someone asks them to keep secrets. The same advice applies when someone sends inappropriate messages or begins making threats or demands.
“The sooner they tell someone, the sooner we can step in, protect them, and work to stop the person responsible,” Summerford said.
School Resource Officers Offer Trusted Support
Summerford also emphasized the role School Resource Officers play in protecting students and building trust inside local schools.
“Our School Resource Officers are much more than deputies assigned to our schools,” Summerford said. “They build relationships with students, earn their trust, and are there to help long before a situation becomes a crisis.”
He said the officers understand challenges facing young people, including online dangers. Students should view their SRO as someone they can approach when an interaction does not feel right.
Working alongside parents and teachers, Summerford said, the officers remain committed to protecting children inside and outside the classroom.
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