As today marks Safer Internet Day, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is encouraging parents, caregivers, educators and communities to take proactive steps to help keep children safe online as technology continues to play a growing role in everyday life.
From gaming platforms and social media to messaging apps and streaming services, children are spending more time connected than ever before. While these tools can offer learning and social benefits, they can also expose young users to risks such as exploitation, inappropriate contact and other technology-facilitated crimes.
ALEA recommends the following online safety tips to help protect children:
• Keep communication open. Talk regularly with children about their online activity and encourage them to report anything that makes them uncomfortable.
• Use parental controls and privacy settings. Review and adjust settings on apps, devices, and gaming platforms.
• Monitor online interactions. Be aware of who children are communicating with and what platforms they are using. Pay particular attention to apps and sites that feature end-to-end encryption, direct messaging, video chats, file uploads and user anonymity, which are frequently relied upon by online child predators.
• Avoid sharing personal information. Teach children not to share names, locations, school details, or photos with strangers online.
• Report suspicious behavior immediately. Early reporting can prevent further harm and help protect other children.
While online threats may seem distant or abstract, law enforcement in Alabama investigates these crimes every day. Through the State Bureau of Investigation’s (SBI) Special Victims Unit, ALEA aggressively works to identify and apprehend individuals who exploit technology to harm children and engage in human trafficking. This includes the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which brings together local law enforcement agencies across the state to investigate and prosecute these offenses.
During Fiscal Year 2025 (Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2025) alone, the Special Victims Unit:
• Opened 1,887 investigations
• Executed 908 search warrants
• Received 14,952 cyber tips
• Served 4,328 subpoenas
• Made 661 arrests
“These numbers reflect not only the scope of the problem, but the commitment of investigators across Alabama who work tirelessly to protect children and bring offenders to justice,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Every investigation represents a child who needed help and a partnership that made a difference.”
Safer Internet Day serves as a reminder that protecting children online requires a shared commitment from families, communities, educators and law enforcement. Anyone who suspects online exploitation or inappropriate contact involving a child is encouraged to report it immediately through appropriate reporting channels so law enforcement can take action.
