FBI To Host Event To Keep W.Va. Kids, Teens Safe Online

The FBI’s West Virginia Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force will offer presentations for young gamers and social media participants and their adults during an “Online Safety Starts With You” event from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Brooke County.

Investigators say children and teens in West Virginia are being targeted at an alarming rate.

Community Outreach Specialist Whitney Barnhart wants caregivers to understand what devices are being used and what controls are available to limit outside access. 

Often basic information, she said, allows strangers to locate someone and even see what their home looks like.

“It is so alarming, the number of people that are traveling to our state, crossing state lines to physically meet children,” Barnhart said. 

“We have so much work in this area that we could have every agent in the state working this violation and still not put a dent in what we’re seeing.”
To register and get the location of the event – and find out how to request a similar presentation in your area – visit their website.