Chris Hansen urges parents to teach children about online predators before allowing internet access
Investigative journalist Chris Hansen issued a stark warning to parents Tuesday, urging them to prepare their children for the dangers of online predators and sextortion before allowing them access to the internet.
"Kids hate to be tricked, and you have to tell them there are adults online who like to trick kids. You don't wanna be tricked," he told the "Hang Out With Sean Hannity" podcast.
"Don't talk to anybody online who you don't know in real life. Start there."
During the latest episode with Sean Hannity, the longtime "To Catch a Predator" host discussed the growing threat of sextortion and recalled conversations with families whose teenage sons were targeted by scammers posing as young women online.
Hansen said predators lure boys into sending explicit photos before demanding money and threatening to release the images publicly.
"They get caught up in the moment because kids' identity is so tightly tied to their social media presence," Hansen said.
"They can't live with the thought of this getting out there or them being embarrassed, and they end up taking their own lives."
Hansen also discussed what parents can do to protect their children online, the warning signs families often miss and why he believes early conversations about internet safety can save lives.
He said parents need to have discussions with their children the "very moment" they have access to the digital world.
"At the end of the day, it's the parent... and you have to sit down with your child at a very early age, at the... moment they're on the internet," he said.
The full interview is available on iHeart, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
