My experience in criminal law has shown time and again that most children are more vulnerable to predators when parents just want to occupy their kids with “gaming” and “social media”. Parents are complicit in most cases. A webcam in your child’s room? Really?

I bought smartphones for my kids so that while I was deployed I could email and call them. I thought it was a good idea and locked it down so they could only email/text/call certain people. No camera.

There was a “kid” that went to a nearby high school that got one of our girl’s number (probably from one of her friends). He would fake his caller ID so she couldn’t block him. He would text her and say he was watching her and knew what she was doing…Really creepy shit. He even said he knew I was deployed and that she “wasn’t safe” at night. Pretty sure he didn’t know my wife practiced shooting at the local gun range every month.

Wife got police involved (seattle police were not helpful) and she of course called me on the ship (during a river city / signal blackout, bc she’s resourceful LOL).

I told XO what was going on, also that I found out the stalker’s full name, address, phone number, ss number from his license plate. XO told me he COULD NOT authorize use of satcom for unofficial business. He left the office with the satcom phone on his desk. I took it outside and called the stalker and told him I was on the way home. I basically threatened his life on a recorded and secure line because I don’t mind going to prison just to make a point. BUT…Never heard from him again. LOL

Today, parents are bringing their children straight to the predators. “Drag your kids to drag”. Fucking Sad.