Instagram Warning
 

If you have kids, you might want to take note of this. This morning my co-worker's ten year old grandson had federal agents show up at his house because he's being targeted by a pedophile on Instagram. The pedophile has been posing as a ten year old girl. The Feds told the parents that Instagram is the worst thing on the internet for kids to use because it gives their name, location, phone number, and photos. They told the parents that Instagram is the "weapon of choice" of pedophiles and sex traffickers. They warned that the man's next step was likely to try to set up a meeting with the 10 year old to try to take him. He had been sending sexualized messages along with warnings like, "Don't tell your parents or they won't let us talk anymore." He also had pictures of the 10 year old's four year old sister.

I use instagram on a very regular basis, and my phone number and location are actually not visible at all. Those are all things I can choose to display, but do not. This is the same as facebook, or snapchat or whatever else - You choose what you want to show. And if you're stupid with it, then don't use it. If kids aren't aware on how to properly use social media, this is the parents fault.

NO ONE under the age of thirteen should have their own Internet account, with or without the consent of low-tech or NO-tech parents!

For your future reference:

We all know practically every kid who's old enough to hold a phone has one these days. That's I posted this. People who have kids need to be vigilant and watch what their kids are doing on social media. They're going to get on it one way or the other.

Exactly.

Why bother getting yourself educated when you can be paranoid?

Welcome to the twenty-first century, Mom! Your under-underaged daughter being a PUBLIC figure is all the MORE reason why her online presence should have been monitored from day one!