From the Arkansas State Police:
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — “Children as young as seven are being targeted online, and we’re seeing a sharp increase in sextortion cases involving minors,” said Sergeant Corwin Battle, Commander of the Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. “Last year in Arkansas, there were 169 sextortion reports. Already in 2025, Arkansas has received 170 sextortion reports — exceeding last year’s total, with half the year still ahead. The threat is real, but it’s different from what many of us grew up worrying about.”
The ICAC Task Force is encouraging parents, caregivers, and the entire community to enhance their strategies for child safety. This call to action coincides with Safer Internet Month in June and follows the nationwide initiative Operation Safe Online Summer (SOS).
Operation SOS was a coordinated national initiative conducted throughout April 2025, spearheaded by the ICAC Task Forces working with federal partners to address the technology-facilitated exploitation of children.
Despite the passage of the REPORT Act, the number of cyber tip reports remains high, with a concerning rise in certain types of online exploitation.
Nationwide, there are over 19,000 reports of sextortion involving minors each year. In comparison, there are only about 350 to 400 child abduction cases by non-family members, and about 1,000 confirmed child sex trafficking cases reported annually. The most common platforms for this activity are Snapchat and Instagram.
The shift to end-to-end encryption on major tech platforms has made it more challenging to detect and report harmful content, placing a greater responsibility on parents, caregivers, and young people to recognize and report suspicious activity. To help families navigate today’s digital landscape, the Arkansas ICAC Task Force is sharing updated safety rules for kids:
Old Rule: Don’t talk to strangers in public.
New Rule: Don’t talk to strangers online—even if they seem friendly or say things you like.
Old Rule: Never get into a car with someone you don’t know.
New Rule: Never click on links or accept friend requests from people you don’t really know.
Old Rule: If something feels wrong, find a trusted adult right away.
New Rule: If something feels wrong online, tell a trusted adult immediately.
Old Rule: Don’t share your home address or phone number.
New Rule: Don’t share personal details like your school, hometown, or photos online.
Old Rule: Don’t take candy from strangers!
New Rule: Don’t accept gifts, money, or promises from people online—no matter how good it sounds.
The Arkansas ICAC Task Force urges all parents, educators, and community members to stay alert, stay involved, and help keep Arkansas’s children safe both online and off.
If you encounter suspicious online activity or potential threats, report them to local law enforcement or the Arkansas State Fusion Center at (501) 618-8001.
Contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Together, we can make the Internet a safer place for every child.
