San Diego Sees 300% Increase In Child Exploitation Online: Report

SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego County has seen a 300 percent increase in child exploitation cases in the past three years, Sgt. Nugent of the San Diego Police Department told CBS8, adding in that many cases, predators draw children in through video games.

“The predators are master manipulators,” Sgt. Garrick Nugent a San Diego Police Department Detective told the outlet.

Sgt. Nugent is the Task Force Commander with Internet Crimes Against Children, which was created to help law enforcement investigative offenders who use the internet and other online forums to sexually exploit children.

“They begin talking in a sexually suggestive manner." Sgt. Nugent said. “Typically, as soon as they get the child to send at least one image that may be illicit, they got their hooks in.”

The San Diego Police Department recommends that parents follow these guidelines to help keep children safe online:

• Set rules like no phones in the bedroom or bathroom
• Disable chat functions whenever possible on video games and apps
• Enact parental controls and turn off internet capabilities at night
• Have open and safe dialogue around the dangers online

Read the full report on CBS8.