When I was growing up in Michigan, we had our fair share of “Boogey Men” we were warned about. After-school specials would spin tales of young kids who made really bad decisions, like getting in a van with a stranger or letting a stranger in the house.
My parents were concerned enough to give my sister and me a codeword that only our family knew. If, for some reason, neither of them could pick us up and someone whom we’d never met was going to take us home, they would give us that codeword, or we wouldn’t go anywhere with them.
Michigan Parents Warned: Child Predators Using New Online Tactics
FBI Detroit took to X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms to warn parents about emerging ploys targeting minors. Insidious groups on social media platforms engage minors and encourage them to livestream themselves committing violent or graphic acts.
FBI Alert: Michigan Kids Targeted by Online Predators
According to the FBI’s announcement, these online predators specifically target kids between the ages of 8 and 17
…especially LGBTQ+ youth, racial minorities, and those who struggle with a variety of mental health issues, such as depression and suicidal ideation…