Cass County Prosecutor shares online tips for National Internet Safety Month

Last Updated on June 8, 2026 by Cass County Communication Network

LOGANSPORT – In 2005, the U.S. Senate designated June as National Internet Safety Month to raise awareness of internet dangers and highlight the need for education about online safety.

For prosecutors in particular, June is a time to highlight youth safety, especially for kids with social media access, as online risks have increased dramatically over the years.

In 2025, there was a staggering increase nationally in the number of reports the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline received related to online enticement of children for sexual acts. Enticement is when a person communicates with someone believed to be a child on the internet with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction.

This type of crime may include sextortion, in which a child is being groomed to take sexually explicit images or ultimately meet face-to-face with someone for sexual purposes, or to engage in a sexual conversation online or, in some instances, to sell or trade the child’s sexual images. This type of victimization takes place across every type of platform, including online gaming, social media, and messaging apps, according to NCMEC.

“Kids are getting access to technology at younger and younger ages,” said Prosecutor Noah Schafer.  “The purpose of Internet Safety Month is to make people aware of the dangers that exist on social media platforms and other areas of the internet and to promote digital safety and use of protective measures to keep kids safe.”

Schafer explained there are several safety tips parents and guardians can follow with their kids. Building trust, having open communication, and setting boundaries are crucial. Parents should:

  • Set clear rules around screen time, social media use, and online gaming.
  • Only use apps and platforms with verified parental controls and privacy settings.
  • Supervise internet access and teach basic online safety rules such as not clicking on unknown links, not accepting friend requests from strangers, and not sharing locations.
  • Keep devices in shared spaces and teach kids about ‘safe strangers’ online.
  • Start conversations early about digital footprints, encouraging them to be cautious about sharing personal information and pictures online.
  • Regularly review your child’s apps, privacy settings, and device activity.

Schafer encourages community members to report suspicious online behavior to law enforcement immediately, including cyberbullying, exploitation attempts, or impersonation.

“Children need to know that the right thing to do is talk to an adult immediately if they feel uncomfortable in an online situation,” said Schafer.  “Parents and guardians need to be proactive talking to their children and identify red flags (like asking for pictures or money) and discuss steps to take if things take a wrong turn.  Don’t wait for a bad situation to occur before talking about this with your children.”

Other resources for online safety include:

SOURCE: News release from Office of Cass County Prosecutor Noah Schafer