We live in an age where our kids have instant access to communication with others, to gaming with their friends and to promoting their sports progress through social media.
It’s those moments when children and teens can quickly fall prey to online exploitation, a message the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is sending through a public service announcement in partnership with the NFL and NASCAR.
The PSA titled “It Only Takes 19 Seconds’ has aired on the NFL Network and played at NASCAR Cup Series races aiming to educate parents and kids about the dangers of online child predators and steps they can take toward prevention.
“Online child exploitation and abuse is one of the most heinous and urgent threats to our children,” Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement obtained by USA TODAY Sports. A formal announcement about the PSA is expected later Wednesday. “The best way to protect kids and families is to reach them where they are, and our partners play a critical role in sharing the campaign’s educational resources with their audiences.’
In April, Homeland Security launched Know2Protect, a public awareness campaign to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Sports partners at the launch included the NFL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
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‘The why is because of the exploitation that the secretary talked about,’ NASCAR president Steve Phelps said in an April statement. ‘NASCAR can use its platform, and its tens of millions of fans, to speak to this. Fans will be educated at our tracks, in all of our owned media, (as will) everyone that’s in our stakeholder group, about the importance of what this initiative will do.”
Every year, one in five children receives an unwanted sexual solicitation online, according to Homeland Security’s statement, an issue compounded by increased technology use and limited understanding of the crime. There were 36 million reports of suspected online exploitation in 2023, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Know2Protect: It Only Takes 19 Seconds (15-Second PSA) | Homeland Security
During the PSA, which is based on a real Homeland Security Investigations case, a child receives a compliment and then solicitation to private chat about a video game.
“A 19-second conversation with a stranger online can put your child in danger or being exploited or abused,” an adult’s voice says.
It’s followed by a child’s voice saying, “Talking to kids about online safety can protect us for a lifetime. Don’t wait. Talk to us today.”
The ad encourages parents and trusted adults to learn how to talk to kids about understanding, preventing and responding to the threat through Know2protect.gov.
Online child exploitation and abuse, which the Department of Homeland Security terms as an epidemic, takes many forms, including grooming. Grooming occurs when a perpetrator gets close to the victim, and even the victim’s family, to establish trust and develop a relationship where a child or teen feels comfortable.
According to Know2Protect’s online resources, grooming can include giving compliments and positive attention or can take the form of money, gifts, e-gift cards or in-game credits.
Predators often use fake profiles and pose as similarly-aged children to gain trust. In some cases, they threaten or blackmail their victims into paying them through various means, such as prepaid cards or peer-to-peer transaction apps.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, grooming doesn’t always take place over a period of time. It can happen in one sitting.
“Online conversations can turn dangerous in the blink of an eye, and this latest PSA stresses the importance of preparing our kids to protect themselves,” NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier said in Wednesday’s statement. “We are proud to be strong supporters of this important public safety campaign and will continue to reinforce a message of vigilance during the NFL postseason.”
The NFL has worked with the campaign through in-person events geared toward kids, such as the NFL Flag championships. Know2Protect has also worked with NASCAR to reach its younger audiences online through the NASCAR Kids Club.
“I am grateful to the NFL and NASCAR for uniting with us to help their fans understand how to keep kids safe online and prevent this horrific crime,” Mayorkas said. “I encourage everyone to visit Know2Protect.gov to learn how they can start these important conversations with their loved ones.”
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Homeland Security reporting options
If you suspect a child might be a victim of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, call the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 866-347-2423 or report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
If you suspect a child has been abducted or faces imminent danger, the Department of Homeland Security says to contact your local police and the NCMEC’s tip line (800-843-5678).
An in-person education arm of Know2Protect allows schools, community groups, corporations, and nonprofit organizations to request in-person or virtual presentations led by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.
The presentations, as well as trainings led by U.S. Secret Service agents, can be requested on the training page of Know2Protect.gov.