Watertown Police Urge Parents to Monitor Children’s Online Activity Amid Digital Communications Investigation

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Police Department is urging parents and guardians to stay actively involved in their children’s online activity as officers continue an investigation involving digital communications. While no additional details of the case are being released, the department is emphasizing proactive steps families can take to keep young people safe online.

According to the media release, social media platforms, messaging apps, gaming services, and other online tools can allow children to communicate with individuals they may not actually know. The department encourages parents to regularly discuss who their children talk to online, what information or images they share, and the risks of meeting someone they first encountered on the internet.

“Social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, and other online services can allow young people to communicate with people they may not actually know,” the release states.

Police also stress the importance of helping children understand that people online may not always be who they claim to be. Young users should know they can approach a parent, trusted adult, or law enforcement if an online interaction makes them uncomfortable or if someone asks them to keep conversations, photos, or meetings secret.

“Children should also understand that people online may not always be who they claim to be,” the department noted.

The department reminds the public that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

For more information, the Watertown Police Department can be reached at (605) 882‑6210.