HOUSTON \u2013 As Houston prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for major events like the FIFA World Cup, child safety advocates are encouraging parents to start important conversations now about protecting children both online and in public spaces.<\/p>\n
Texas continues to rank among the top states in the country for human trafficking reports. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, more than 1,300 cases were identified in Texas in 2024, involving more than 2,400 victims. Experts say many of those cases involved minors.<\/p>\n
Child advocates say large events can attract people looking to exploit children or teens. They warn that predators often use social media, gaming apps, and messaging platforms to gain a child\u2019s trust long before any face-to-face contact happens.<\/p>\n
Experts say grooming can begin with gifts, flattery, or someone pretending to be another teenager online. They stress that teaching children to recognize warning signs early is critical.<\/p>\n
Kerry McCracken, Executive Director of the Children\u2019s Assessment Center, says parents should tailor conversations based on a child\u2019s age.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a stranger tries to talk to you, you are empowered to say no and walk away,\u201d McCracken said.<\/p>\n
Advocates say there\u2019s no evidence events like the World Cup directly cause spikes in trafficking, but they say high-profile events are a good reminder for families to stay alert and have a safety plan before attending crowded venues.<\/p>\n
Safety experts recommend using a buddy system, setting family meeting spots, keeping phones charged, and using location tracking apps so parents know where their children are.<\/p>\n
They also say children should know it\u2019s okay to yell, scream, or draw attention to themselves if they feel unsafe.<\/p>\n
Advocates warn online threats should never be kept secret, saying predators often use fear and intimidation to keep children silent.<\/p>\n
Experts say if a child ever feels uncomfortable online or in a crowd, they should trust their instincts, get to a safe adult, and speak up immediately. <\/p>\n