Officials are doing their best to give parents a wake up call. Teens putting themselves in danger online is increasing at a terrifying rate and it’s happening right here in the Basin with average kids whose parents would never suspect. Teens and preteens using cell phones and social media to exchange nude pictures is commonplace, though unimaginable to many parents. Cases of online blackmail targeting teens and preteens known as “Sextortion” has raised its head in Utah and even in the Basin. Uintah County Sheriff Vance Norton is urging parents to be diligent in talking with kids about safety online from a very young age. “We need to work on building trust with our children and being open with each other,” shares Sheriff Norton. “The internet is one of the greatest things ever built but it has so much evil lurking in the shadows just waiting to take advantage of and harm the good people in our community.” Sheriff Norton advises parents to set guidelines for cell phone and computer use so children know they will be checked on from time to time to be sure they are safe. The Sheriff also says these issues need to be talked about in schools and says a joint effort between law enforcement and citizens is what is needed to keep kids safe. If at any time, anyone in the community would like officers to come and give educational talks about this or anything they feel is a threat to our children, they are urged to contact the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office.
