Wisconsin digital safety concerns as students head back to school

Wisconsin digital safety concerns as students head back to school

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is raising awareness of some of the ways the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) works to protect kids in a digital world. This, as students head back to class.

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is raising awareness of some of the ways the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) works to protect kids in a digital world. This, as students head back to class.

Leaders from DOJ’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and the Office of School Safety (OSS) joined Kaul on Monday, Sept. 8, along with local school and law enforcement leadership in Waukesha for a news conference regarding digital safety for students.

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AG Kaul started the news conference with the focus on sextortion.

What they're saying:

"That's a form of sexual exploitation where the offender threatens to release compromising material of the victim unless the victim provides something additional in return. Sextortion has led to some tragic consequences for victims, including mental health crises and, in some cases, even suicides," Kaul said. "It's important for parents to know that the best way to protect kids online is by creating and maintaining open lines of communication with your kids about online safety."

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul

"Last year we received over 11,000 cyber tips, and that was a 55% increase from 2022," said Jesse Crowe, Wisconsin ICAC Commander. "In cyber tips, the attorney general talked about the sextortion cyber tips we receive. We still receive those. And we are on track to have, many more than the 400 which we currently have."

Jesse Crowe, DOJ ICAC Commander

"Kids learn best when they're not afraid. Kids learn best when they're not feeling anxious at school, and we want kids to be able to focus on academics and, their positive social relationships, said Trish Kilpin, Director of Office of School Safety. 

Trish Kilpin, Director of the Office of School Safety