The Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center (C3) has joined forces with Scouting America’s Middle America Tennessee Council to launch a comprehensive initiative aimed at combating online child exploitation and abuse. This partnership marks the beginning of a series of presentations under HSI’s Project iGuardian® program, designed to educate scouts on the dangers lurking in the online world.
This collaborative effort is part of HSI’s broader Know2Protect campaign, which was developed to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults, and policymakers. The campaign focuses on preventing and combating online child sexual exploitation and abuse, explaining how to report online enticement and victimization, and offering resources for victims and survivors.
HSI Nashville Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “HSI is proud to partner with youth-serving organizations like Scouting America to educate children and adults in their lives with vitally important information about the threats they face online.”
The Know2Protect and Project iGuardian® programs aim to provide scouts with direct access to HSI special agents, offering invaluable insights into online safety. This initiative is the first of its kind, involving public and private sector organizations nationwide in a unified effort to raise awareness about the risks children face in the digital environment.
Scout Executive Larry Brown of the Scouting America Middle Tennessee Council expressed gratitude for HSI’s involvement, noting, “Being aware of online risks will help keep our scouts safe and our parents informed.”
Online child exploitation and abuse have reached alarming levels, posing a significant threat to children’s safety globally. The Know2Protect and iGuardian programs aim to educate and empower young people, parents, and trusted adults on preventing and combating these heinous crimes, both online and offline. They also provide guidance on reporting incidents and offer support resources for victims and survivors.
The presentations cover various critical topics, including tactics used by online predators, the type of information devices reveal about users, and practical steps families can take to enhance their online safety.
Glen Pounder, Chief Safeguarding Officer of Scouting America, highlighted the vital role of education in safeguarding children, stating, “The critical information shared directly by special agents can and will literally save lives. Law enforcement alone cannot protect our children online; there simply aren’t enough cops. Bad guys trick their way into kids’ lives via apps and games. Scouts learn that if they make a mistake, we will help them, no matter what. I hope every scout in America can become a digital leader through iGuardian. Only these criminals need to be afraid.”
HSI’s commitment to this cause is unwavering. “HSI is leading the fight against online child sexual exploitation and abuse by targeting offenders and rescuing victims,” said Fetting. “HSI’s Project iGuardian educates today’s young people about how to stay safe in the digital environment, while raising public awareness of online dangers.”
The DHS Cyber Crimes Center plays a crucial role in supporting HSI’s mission by coordinating investigations of cyber-related criminal activity and providing forensic, intelligence, and investigative support services across all HSI programmatic areas.
This partnership between HSI and Scouting America signifies a significant step forward in the fight against online child exploitation, highlighting the power of education, awareness, and community involvement in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
