Colorado Springs Police Department recognizes June as Internet Safety Month: CSPD encourages families to #StartTheConversation about online safety

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is joining law enforcement agencies across Colorado and the nation in recognizing June as Internet Safety Month. Throughout the month, CSPD is encouraging parents, caregivers, educators, and community members to have ongoing conversations with children and teens about staying safe online.

As technology continues to evolve, children and teens are spending more time online through social media, gaming platforms, messaging applications, and other digital spaces. While these platforms offer opportunities for learning, entertainment, and connection, they can also expose young users to online predators, scams, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content.

Online gaming has become one of the most common ways young people connect with others online. While most gaming interactions are harmless, some offenders use gaming platforms, chat features, livestreams, and messaging applications to initiate contact with children and teens. Parents and caregivers should remain engaged in their children's online gaming activities, understand who they are communicating with, and discuss appropriate online boundaries and safety practices.

"Protecting children extends beyond our neighborhoods and schools; it includes the digital spaces they visit every day," said Colorado Springs Lieutenant Korey Hutchinson. "Parents and caregivers are the first line of defense when it comes to online safety. Having regular conversations about responsible online behavior, gaming, social media, and digital privacy can help keep children safe and informed."

CSPD supports the efforts of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program and works closely with local, state, and federal partners to investigate crimes involving the online exploitation of children and to provide education and prevention resources to the community.

Online Safety Tips for Families

CSPD encourages families to follow these best practices:

• Have regular conversations about online activities and digital safety.
• Know which apps, games, and social media platforms your child uses.
• Review privacy and security settings on devices and online accounts.
• Teach children never to share personal information, photos, or passwords with people they meet online.
• Encourage children to report uncomfortable or suspicious interactions immediately.
• Monitor online gaming communications and friend requests.
• Utilize parental controls and safety features when appropriate.
• Stay informed about current online trends, apps, and emerging threats.

Free Public Webinar for Parents and Caregivers

As part of Internet Safety Month, the ICAC Task Force Program is hosting a free public webinar:

Video Games and Your Child: Spotting Red Flags and Staying Safe Online

Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time (12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. MST)

The webinar will provide parents and caregivers with practical information about online gaming safety, recognizing warning signs of exploitation, and strategies for protecting children while they play online.

Register

Reporting Suspicious Online Activity

If a child is being targeted online, receives inappropriate messages, or is the victim of online exploitation, CSPD encourages parents and guardians to report the activity immediately.

Reports can be made by:

• Calling the Colorado Springs Police Department non-emergency line at 719-444-7000.
• Reporting emergencies by calling 911.
• Submitting a CyberTipline report to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at www.cybertipline.org.

Preserving messages, screenshots, usernames, and other digital evidence can help investigators identify offenders and protect potential victims.

Additional Resources

Community members are encouraged to visit the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program website for educational resources, safety information, and prevention materials:

NCMEC is the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping find missing children, preventing child victimization, and combating child sexual exploitation. NCMEC works with families, law enforcement, private industry, and the public to support child recovery efforts and provide resources to help protect children. NCMEC's Take It Down portal https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/ is a free service to help victims remove their or a loved ones' sexually explicit images from social media platforms. They also offer NetSmartz which is their online safety education program.

Throughout June, CSPD will share online safety information, resources, and educational content through its social media channels. Community members are encouraged to follow CSPD and join the conversation using #StartTheConversation and #InternetSafety. Internet Safety Month serves as an important reminder that online safety is a year-round responsibility. By working together and maintaining open communication, families can help ensure children have safe and positive experiences online.