West Alabama INTERCEPT Task Force Seeks Parental Input On Growing Online Safety Threats

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The recently rebranded West Alabama INTERCEPT Task Force is asking parents and guardians of K-12 students to complete an anonymous online survey and consider participating in upcoming focus groups aimed at improving online safety for children.

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The multi-agency task force says investigators have seen a growing number of cases involving young children being targeted online, sharing inappropriate images or communicating with individuals they should not be interacting with through social media and digital platforms.

The task force said the survey, which can be anonymously filled out here, and focus groups are designed to help investigators better understand how parents receive information, what online safety concerns families have and which sources they trust most.

ALSO READ: West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force Rebranded As Part Of New Partnership

Officials also said the feedback collected will be used to strengthen education and outreach efforts for families throughout West Alabama.

The task force said focus group discussions will include topics such as youth online safety, family use of social media and digital platforms and the online sources parents trust most.

Two focus group sessions are planned for Sunday, May 31, and Sunday, June 14, at 3 p.m. at the Synergic Center, located at 3650 Fifth Street in Northport.

Each session is expected to last between 45 minutes and one hour.

As Patch previously reported, the task force includes investigators and personnel from the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Tuscaloosa Police Department, Northport Police Department and the University of Alabama Police Department, working alongside state and federal partners.

The INTERCEPT designation connects the local unit to a multi-state network coordinated by Operation Light Shine, an organization focused on combating human trafficking and child exploitation through funding, training and investigative support

Parents and guardians interested in participating can contact the task force at (205) 248-4750.

Stay up to date with the task force by visiting its Facebook page.

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