THE Morwell Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team has issued an impassioned plea to parents to monitor their children’s activity on social media, after interviewing a 20 year-old Traralgon man in relation to the grooming of local kids on a social media site.
Detective Senior Constable Ben Hodson said at least four local children aged between nine and 15 years had been contacted on Facebook by somebody believed to be using a false account.
“We are making enquiries in relation to the extent of his offending,” Det Snr Const Hodson said.
Police were alerted to the alleged incidents when a concerned mother of one of the children made a report to Traralgon Police Station.
Det Snr Const Hodson said the children had not come to physical harm.
“The important message to parents especially is to be absolutely vigilant of their children’s Facebook accounts,” he said.
“A person must be 13 years of age to have a facebook account and this is the reason why.
“If parents do find something concerning they need to report it to local police.”
Police are yet to lay charges.
They recommend parents and children visit the Cyber Smart website at
www.cybersmart.gov.au
Anybody with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
