Lara Logan’s recent episode of Going Rogue sheds light on the alarming issue of online trafficking targeting vulnerable children, particularly those with neurodivergent conditions. The episode, titled “Traffickers Target Kids With Autism: A Mother Speaks Out,” features a Texas mother, Jill, who shares her daughter’s harrowing experience with online predators.

Jill’s daughter, who has Asperger’s, ADHD, and learning disabilities, was targeted multiple times due to her vulnerability and desire for connection. “She just wanted to be loved,” Jill explained, recounting how her daughter was first approached by individuals connected to the trafficking lifestyle and later through social media platforms like Facebook.

Jill endured the agony of not knowing her daughter’s whereabouts for two years until Homeland Security intervened, rescuing her daughter and a 14-year-old girl in an operation that led to federal sex trafficking charges. The trafficker received a 365-month federal prison sentence.

Expert Advice for Parents

The episode also features Brandi from Shepherds Watch, a Texas-based anti-trafficking organization that collaborates with law enforcement and educates families about the dangers of online trafficking. Brandi emphasizes the importance of parental vigilance in monitoring children’s online interactions, especially on social media, gaming platforms, and virtual reality devices.

“Be aware, be nosey,” Brandi advises. “Put safeguards on their devices. Know how to use the apps your children use. Be proactive, not reactive.”

In addition to these precautions, The Dallas Express previously reported on the FBI’s warning about violent online networks, such as “764,” which exploit children through gaming apps and social media by using coercion, blackmail, and threats.

The episode concludes by highlighting warning signs parents should watch for, including secretive online communications, unexpected phones or devices, late-night messaging, and children forming relationships with unknown individuals.

Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.