Sting a reminder of dangers of internet behavior

Earlier this week, the Jackson Township (Ohio) Police Department conducted "Operation Unsportsmanlike Conduct," in which it targeted predators traveling in an attempt to solicit sex from children, over a multi-day operation. According to a report by WOIO, the operation resulted in the arrests of seven men who were allegedly trying to engage in sexual activity with girls they believed to be under the ages of 13, 14 and 15. Stark County court records showed those girls were actually undercover police officers being contacted through cell phones, thank goodness. But think about that for a moment, these men believed they were reaching potentially middle school aged girls who had cell phones and could figure out how to meet them at a hotel in Jackson Township. Of the seven arrested, two were from Massillon, the others were from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Wadsworth, Canton and Broadview Heights. Some of these men were willing to travel quite a distance to meet (and worse) the girls with whom they believed they were communicating. WOIO reports two of the men are allegedly in the country illegally, and have been referred to the Department of Homeland Security. The rest are working their way through the local court system, where they face charges ranging from attempt to commit unlawful sexual conduct with a minor to attempt to commit rape. That's that, then, right? No harm done. Don't forget about them just yet. Remember, these men believed they were talking to real girls, and there are certainly others not yet behind bars making similar attempts. Talk to your kids — boys and girls, of all ages — about the dangers of communicating with adults who try to reach them on cell phones they might not make accessible to their parents. Check their contacts. Check their conversations. Make sure they understand this is real — and that if someone does attempt to contact them in this way, they need to let you know so you can alert law enforcement immediately. Bad people are out there. Use this case as an excuse to start the conversation if you must, but talk to them, check on them and do all you can to protect them.