Members of Task Force Argos, the Queensland Police Services’ unit investigating internet-facilitated child exploitation, have shared their advice on safe online gaming.
Argos officers attended Queensland University of Technology’s High Schools E-sport League with the key message to be cautious about how much personal information was shared online.
Detective Acting Sergeant Chis Keenan said while gaming could be fun and have positive social benefits, investigators from Argos saw the dark side of the internet.
He said much of what they investigated stemmed from children being tricked by adults into taking and sharing explicit photos or videos of themselves.
“No matter how much you think you trust someone, if you share an intimate image or video of yourself, you lose complete control as it can easily be copied and shared by others,” Detective Acting Sergeant Keenan said.
“Of significant concern is that child sex offenders use gaming and social media platforms, along with manipulative and predatory behaviour, to target children.”
He said that Argos investigators had seen many cases where young people thought they were talking online with someone their own age, when in reality it was an adult child sex offender.
“Our message to young people in this situation is know that it is not your fault and help is available. Nothing is so bad that you can’t tell a trusted adult,” Detective Acting Sergeant Keenan said.
