Jon Greiner, detective at the Clinton County Sheriff Department is urging parents and guardians to take a more active role in monitoring children’s online activity this summer, warning that cases involving online exploitation and risky digital interactions tend to increase when school is out.
During a recent appearance on WILO/Boone 102.7 FM’s Party Line program, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jon Greiner—who also serves on a Crimes Against Children Task Force—said the combination of increased free time and unsupervised device use can create new vulnerabilities for young people.
Summer brings added risk
Greiner said seasonal changes play a role in law enforcement trends.
“When they’re in school, they’re being monitored maybe a little bit closer, but now when they’re home, that can present more of a challenge,” he said. “We do see a little bit of a spike in some of the work that we have in law enforcement right now.” He emphasized that while Clinton County is a strong community, online threats are not confined by geography.
“The world that we live in now is so interconnected,” Greiner said. “The danger could be 2,000 miles away… but online, that danger is present and sometimes in the pocket that you carry with your cell phone.”
Online predators not limited by location
A key concern discussed during the program was how online platforms allow predators to reach children regardless of where they live. “Predators online can be from anywhere,” Greiner said. “They have the same goal, and that’s to get something out of people who are vulnerable.” He noted that these threats often begin on popular platforms or games and then shift to more private forms of communication.
“That’s part of the process… they’re meeting them in a popular place like Fortnite or Minecraft, and then they’re moving them to something else where they can communicate privately,” he said. “That should be a red flag.”
Parents urged to monitor digital activity
Greiner stressed that many parents track their children’s physical location but overlook their online presence. “You know where they physically are, but do you know where they digitally are?” he said.
He encouraged parents to use built-in parental controls, monitor app usage, and stay aware of who their children are communicating with. He also highlighted a practical tip for identifying hidden activity on devices. “You can lie to the home screen, but you cannot lie to the battery on your phone,” Greiner said, referring to device settings that show app usage.
Other recommendations included keeping devices in common areas, limiting late-night usage, and maintaining access to children’s phones. “If you don’t know the passcode to your kid’s device, that is a problem right now,” he said.
Communication and example matter
Greiner emphasized that open communication and parental behavior are critical.
“More is caught than taught,” he said. “If you’re going to tell your child all of these great things and you’re not abiding by the rules… they’re not going to listen to you.”
He added that conversations about online safety should be ongoing and honest, especially as children navigate social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, and gaming communities.
Reporting incidents is critical
Law enforcement officials also urged families not to hesitate in reporting suspicious activity or exploitation, even if it feels uncomfortable. “If you, your loved one, or even if you think you may have a problem, do not delay,” Greiner said. “Contact us today.”
He acknowledged that embarrassment can prevent victims—especially young people—from speaking up, but warned that silence can allow situations to escalate. “We’re not going to judge you,” he said. “We understand this is a whole new world… but we need to get in front of it.”
Greiner added that while some cases involve suspects outside local or even national jurisdiction, reporting still allows law enforcement to provide support and resources.
Community-wide responsibility
The discussion also touched on the broader role of families and the community in addressing digital safety. “The things that are in our pockets that have access to the internet are some of the most dangerous things that we own,” Greiner said. “Why would we not have some rules with these things?”
He encouraged residents to seek out resources through local law enforcement agencies or national organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
As summer continues, officials say awareness and proactive involvement remain the best tools for protecting children online.
