Rutherford County, TN - Children in communities both large and small are being targeted by adults with bad intentions. Parents often fail to realize their kids are talking to adults on social media apps. Sgt. Gary Herron with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said...

Adults, often posing as teenagers online, are chatting with kids through apps, online video games and more. Those adults then convince the child to send them photos or worse - - meet them in person... Rutherford County Detective Austin Mobbs told WGNS...

The internet is not the only platform for adults to pursue children with negative intentions. RCSO Detective Austin Mobbs said that sometimes, the ones who prey on children, are the adults that kids look up to... Mobbs emphasized how important it is to be actively involved in your child's life and know who your children are talking to. The detective further stated that it's important to believe your children...

A youthful brain that continues to develop all the way up to the age of 25, lacks the ability to understand that a an adult may be working to groom them...

Due to the increasing threat of children being lured by sex offenders and adults with bad intentions, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office has started a new program to educate parents about the darkness that is at the fingertips of more than 70% of children... a cellphone. Common Sense Media reports that 42% of kids age 10 or younger have their own smartphone. By age 12, 71% of kids have their own phone. As they become teenagers, the number jumps up to 91% by age 14.

Both Herron and Mobbs will be working with area churches, neighborhood groups, civic clubs and more – all to inform parents of the dangers that exist online. Detective Mobbs told us that the information they will discuss with area residents is often based on past cases that unfolded right here in Rutherford County. If you'd like to schedule the two to meet with your group, email Sgt. Herron for information: gherron@rcsotn.org

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