Yuma Police Department warns parents about online child predators

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is warning parents about an alarming new trend involving children on  social media.

YPD says predators will log onto online platforms, try to gain the trust of children, and bribe them to upload inappropriate content in exchange for virtual money.

YPD PIO Christina Fernandez says the department has received an alarming number of reports involving children uploading inappropriate content online in exchange for virtual gaming currency. 

"Predators are asking these children to do that through platforms such as Roblox. They're telling the kids in order to get Roblox currency to do these types of things and the children are doing that without knowing what the consequences are," said Officer Hernandez.

Fernandez says predators target children through public gaming chats, posing as friends to gain their trust. From there, they're able to manipulate them. 

"One those people become familiar with the children and try to earn their trust and gain their trust they're now directing to do the children to do things that are otherwise inappropriate," she explained.

YPD says if you suspect any suspicious activity involving your child online, you should report it immediately.