The FBI is warning parents about the dangers of social media after two recent cases in San Antonio involved teens being lured into robberies through social media platforms.

Red Flags for Parents

Special agent Smith of the FBI said that any social media or gaming platform that allows messaging can be used to exploit children. He advised parents to watch for significant changes in behavior and sudden secrecy in their children.

Local advocacy group nextTalk urges parents to open conversations with their children about online safety. Mandy Majors, founder of nextTalk, said parents should avoid what she calls “crazy parent mode” and instead thank children when they come forward with concerns.

Parents can take two immediate steps to keep their kids safe online. First, check privacy settings and turn off direct messages from strangers in any app a child uses. Second, if a threat is suspected, save or screenshot the messages and report them to police.

Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.