By Carla Thomas

Monee Brown has dedicated her life to cyber security and keeping children safe. Through her company, Knot Our Kidz, an initiative dedicated to promoting online safety among youth, Brown has generated a movement in the community as a staunch advocate against human trafficking.

A retired deputy probation officer in Alameda County, Brown lists the many ways children are vulnerable and how parents and guardians sometimes unassumingly create pathways that predators may take advantage of.

Brown, who is based in Oakland, says she witnessed first-hand the alarming trend of youth being solicited and groomed through their cell phones unbeknownst to their parents.

“Oftentimes parents were unaware of online predators, hadn’t informed their kids of the dos and don’ts of the internet, and weren’t actively monitoring their children’s devices,” she said. “This experience inspired me to create resources to help bridge this gap in knowledge and safety.”

With over 22 years of experience in law enforcement and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Brown says she is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and has written three books to highlight the dangers of online predators.

Her book, “Ready, Set, Game,” highlights the dangers of online gaming. “Operation Don’t Chat Back,” exposes the risks of chatting with strangers online.

Her guide for parents on protecting their children from online predators is entitled “Cyber Pimp: What Every Parent Needs to Know.”

“It’s crucial to educate parents and anyone who has an instrumental role in a child’s life, be it an aunt, grandparents, an uncle, or godparents. These books provide practical tools and engaging narratives that empower children and parents alike to navigate the digital world safely.”

Brown says when children are given digital devices, parents typically don’t know what they are engaging in beyond schoolwork.

“Computers could also expose a child to engaging with strangers and potential predators online. For parents that don’t want their child on the computer, what are the alternatives? Are the students monitored online? What are the precautions taken to protect youth from encountering predators online?

According to Brown, although it may be innocent, sharing information about children on social media easily exposes youth to potential predators.

“When proud parents post pictures on social media of their child’s graduation from middle school, this exposes the child to thousands of people online, because each person has about 500 friends on social media, she says. “If the proud parents post a CashApp to bless a child financially, a predator could use this gift as an act to gain a child’s attention, build trust, and further entice the child.”

Brown says she welcomes organizations and individuals willing to join her in combating predators who target children away and fighting for more protections for children in the cyber world.

For more information visit: www.knotourkidz.com

@PaulCobbOakland @PostNewsGroup @NNPA_BlackPress @BlackPressUSA @knotourkidz @AlamedaCounty @CashApp

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