Investigators remind parents why it's important to monitor children's online activities

What some parents refer to when answering the question of whether they control the actions of their children on the Internet, told reporters the Deputy head of the Department for the investigation of crimes against the person and public security of the investigative Department of the UCK in the Gomel region Irina Spivak. Belta writes about it.

Irina Spivak cited the facts of several crimes in recent years against sexual integrity, sexual freedom of minors, trafficking in child pornography. Thus, in the investigation department of the UCK in the Gomel region there is a criminal case against a resident of Gomel, who for several years committed sexual acts with minors under the age of 16, and used teenagers to make pornographic materials.

- In 2022, the investigative department of the UCK completed a criminal case on the charges of a 44-year-old resident of Vetka. He was charged with a series of indecent acts against minors under 14 years of age and minors under 16 years of age. 38 criminal episodes were identified. The accused in the social network met with teenagers, presented himself as a peer — on the page he had photos of a young guy from the Internet. The man began communication with the recognition of the interlocutor that he has sexual complexes, problems in the relationship with the opposite sex, there is a fear of entering into sexual intercourse. Thus, the resident of the branch entered into trust in the child. Between them began a correspondence of a depraved nature, — gave an example from the practice of Irina Spivak.

Another criminal case was closed by the investigation department on the charges of a 33-year-old resident of Mozyr, who met girls under 16 on social networks. And detailed examples can be given a lot, stressed Irina Spivak:

- What unites them is the lack of control of children. Basically, such facts are revealed thanks to the joint and coordinated work of employees of all law enforcement agencies. Unfortunately, neither parents nor victims often come to law enforcement agencies and do not report these facts. At the same time, when we communicate with the parents of victims, many people give the following answers to questions about whether they control the behavior of their children, their virtual life. One parent says, “I trust my child and I don’t think it’s necessary to control him.” Some parents say, “I respect the child’s personal boundaries and will not control them.” Of course, there are parents who say they don't have time to watch their child spend time: "I work, I'm busy, I'm tired.".

However, parents are responsible for the safety of children, for their moral development, including their sexual integrity. Irina Spivak drew attention to the criminal case, which was investigated on the fact of a number of murders in Gomel. One of the defendants, who was later charged with two murders, seized a mobile phone. It found correspondence with minors, minors, including 9-year-old Minsk.

- Imagine: a girl is 9 years old, he is 46. And he corresponded with the child for several months, caused the girl a certain sympathy, love. Despite her age, she considered him her boyfriend. The accused arranged with the child to meet - in a forest near the girl's house. At the same time, the man did not hide his intentions about her in correspondence, told in all details what actions of a sexual nature he intends to commit. He even asked the girl to wear a skirt. The child, of course, not realizing the danger he was in, agreed to a meeting. Due to the fact that the operatives worked in a timely manner, it was possible to prevent the crime, said Irina Spivak.

According to the investigator, when the girl’s mother was asked if she checked the child’s mobile phone, the woman replied that she respected her daughter’s personal boundaries and did not consider it necessary to control her pastime online.

In Minsk will strengthen the prevention of cybercrime among the working population