Kentucky State Police have arrested 16 as part of a national operation to stop online predators.
Gov. Andy Beshear made the announcement during his regular media briefing Thursday.
Operation Safe Online Summer included more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide. It involved investigations of trafficking child sexual abuse material and solicitations of minors, alongside prevention and community outreach.
KSP launched 70 investigations and investigated more than 900 gigabytes worth of data.
Mike Bowling is the commander of KSP’s Electronic Crime Branch. He says the operation helped build a safer digital world for children.
“Let's continue to put an emphasis on online safety, empower our youth with knowledge and ensure our community remains a place where every child is secure, both online and off,” Bowling said.
Bowling says families should monitor their children’s online activity and set rules or boundaries for going online. He also tells kids to think before clicking or sharing anything, and to tell a trusted adult if they’re made to feel uncomfortable.
