SCAN reminds parents of internet safety tips following Delphi development

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Fort Wayne’s NBC) - An organization in Fort Wayne is reminding parents to take steps to protect their children from internet predators, like the one associated with the account in the recent Delphi investigation development.

A man connected to social media accounts now linked to the Delphi killings investigation is charged in a separate child exploitation case.

Fort Wayne’s NBC News affiliate 13News has learned Kegan Anthony Kline was charged Aug. 29, 2020, with 30 counts, including child exploitation, possession of child pornography and obstruction of justice.

As if parents needed something else to worry about when it comes to their children, but with this new development parents could use all the help they can get to keep their children safe.

CEO of Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Dee Szyndrowski says they provide parenting resources for families across the area. She says there are steps parents should take to protect their children from these kinds of internet predators.

“How do parents sit down and have that conversation with their children,” she said. “Make sure parents are comfortable getting their usernames and passwords and connect with them. The reason I have a Facebook is because my child has one.”

She says get the log ins and passwords for your child’s social media accounts. Make sure to set boundaries by limiting access to websites or platforms you don’t want them using. She says you could even create a private profile for them.

“Making sure you only connect with friends and their profile can only be seen by others,” she said. “Don’t accept anyone you don’t know. If someone friend requests you and you don’t know them. Don’t connect with them.”

Most importantly, she says if someone tries to connect with you and you do not know them, do not add them.

“Parenting is the hardest job. I can’t sit here and pretend like I haven’t messed up,” she said. “We need people to help guide you and SCAN is definitely here to help.”

Szyndrowski says it’s always good to have reminders like this and to be aware. She says make sure you are always having open conversations with your children as well.

“This story and this case and cat phishing is eye opening for all of us,” she said. “As parents it’s okay to have those conversations and we need them.”

You can find out more about SCAN, here.

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