Sexual predators use social media to groom minors

Tuesday night, police said a 26-year-old man was caught having lewd acts with a minor in a car near the intersection of La Palma and Arosa Way. Police said they found out the suspect, Fernando Cancino, made contact with the minor on social media. One parent who brings her kids to Adams Park nearby said that wasn’t something she expected to hear in this neighborhood.

“That makes me feel upset as a parent that this would happen to where I bring my kids regularly,” Serenity Peterson said.

One internet safety expert with Christopher’s Clubhouse, a non-profit focused on protecting minors, said some teens feel safe talking to strangers behind a computer screen, but shouldn’t.

“In social media platforms you could be talking to some one who says they are 17 years-old and they can be 48 you never know,” Internet Safety Trainer with Christopher’s Clubhouse, Cameron Moulton said.

The only way to protect children from predators, Moulton said, is to have an open dialogue about what they are doing on social media and most importantly checking up and having the password to their accounts.

“There’s no stopping them from doing these things but we can talk to them. We can inspect and not expect that things aren’t going to happen,” Moulton said.

One parent said it’s a reminder for all parents to keep a close watch on their children.

“We have to do a job, better job as parents just protecting our kids and being aware of what’s going on in their lives and do what we can to always be watching out,” Peterson said.

Moulton said children should not share personal information like their address, school name or what their parents do for a living with any strangers, because they may not always be the person they claim to be on the other end of the message.

For more information on keeping your teen safe on social media go to Christopher’s Clubhouse.