PROJECT: URGENT SSS RECOMMENDATIONS TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN ON SOCIAL MEDIA (PART 2)
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
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SSS has, in the past, issued numerous warnings to parents, urging them to act decisively to protect their children from harm. We have also repeatedly called for, and strongly support, stricter internal measures to safeguard children from the growing dangers associated with social media.
We encourage the public to read our previous project on this critical issue.
https://www.mikebolhuis.co.za/post/project-social-media-addiction-and-children
https://www.mikebolhuis.co.za/post/project-children-and-the-impact-of-excessive-screen-time
https://www.mikebolhuis.co.za/post/project-the-hidden-meanings-of-emojis-used-by-children
https://www.mikebolhuis.co.za/post/project-vault-apps-and-the-risks-for-children
PARENTS MUST STOP THINKING “MY CHILD IS JUST WATCHING VIDEOS”:
One of the most dangerous misconceptions is this: “My child is not chatting to strangers — they are only watching content.”
That is often false, or only temporarily true.
Even passive exposure can still lead to:
Algorithmic grooming toward harmful content.
Comment-based contact.
Direct messages.
Follower harvesting.
Suggested “friends”.
Live-stream interaction.
Profile targeting.
Emotional dependency on online validation.
Exposure to predators watching their content.
Children do not need to “go looking for danger.”
On many platforms, danger is delivered to them.
LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY:
Parents, schools, and guardians should also understand that children can become:
Victims of crime.
Witnesses in criminal investigations.
Digital evidence holders.
Unwitting distributors of illegal content.
Participants in harmful conduct.
Persons subject to disciplinary or legal intervention.
Where a child forwards explicit images of another minor, even “as a joke,” that can create extremely serious legal complications.
Where a teenager threatens another child online, extorts them, or circulates humiliating content, that may trigger:
Criminal investigation.
School disciplinary action.
Civil liability.
Protection order implications.
Digital forensic examination.
Reputational destruction.
The internet does not erase accountability. It often preserves evidence.
WHAT SPECIALISED SECURITY SERVICES RECOMMENDS FOR EVERY PARENT IMMEDIATELY:
Every parent, grandparent, guardian, school, and caregiver should urgently implement the following:
1. DELAY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCESS FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE:
Young children should not have unrestricted access to social media platforms.
2. KEEP DEVICES OUT OF BEDROOMS AT NIGHT:
Late-night use dramatically increases secretive behaviour, grooming exposure, emotional dependency, and harmful content consumption.
3. DISABLE PRIVATE MESSAGING WHERE POSSIBLE:
If a platform allows DMs, that is a direct risk channel.
4. TURN OFF LOCATION SERVICES AND GEOTAGGING:
Children must never broadcast their live movements.
5. AUDIT FOLLOWER LISTS AND "FRIENDS":
Unknown adults, fake peers, suspicious profiles, and “brand accounts” must be removed.
6. TEACH THE “NO SECRETS ONLINE” RULE:
Any adult or older teen asking for secrecy, photos, disappearing chats, or private contact is a danger sign.
7. TEACH CHILDREN NEVER TO MOVE TO ENCRYPTED OR PRIVATE APPS WITH STRANGERS:
This is a classic grooming escalation step.
8. PRESERVE EVIDENCE IMMEDIATELY:
If something goes wrong:
Screenshot everything.
Save usernames.
Save links.
Save dates and times.
Do not delete the chat before the evidence is preserved.
9. REPORT URGENTLY:
Report to:
The platform.
The school (if relevant).
SAPS.
Cybercrime reporting structures.
Child protection organisations.
A trusted private investigative or security professional, where needed.
10. CREATE A NO-PUNISHMENT DISCLOSURE ENVIRONMENT:
Children often stay silent because they fear losing their phone or being blamed.
If your child thinks, “I will be punished if I tell,” they may remain trapped in abuse.
FINAL WARNING FROM SPECIALISED SECURITY SERVICES:
The world is now reaching a turning point.
A major U.S. jury has found that one of the world’s most powerful technology companies
knowingly harmed children and failed to adequately protect them.
Governments from Australia to Europe and multiple U.S. jurisdictions are moving to restrict children’s access
to social media because the evidence of harm is no longer theoretical —
it is increasingly legal, documented, and visible.
Children on social media are not simply “online.” They are exposed, profiled, studied,
manipulated and, in far too many cases, they are hunted.
This issue must be treated with the same seriousness as:
child abduction prevention,
anti-trafficking awareness,
school safety,
cybercrime prevention,
and family security planning.
Parents who wait until “something happens” are already too late.
It is crucial to continuously restrict access, monitor aggressively, educate relentlessly and act immediately.
IF YOUR CHILD HAS ALREADY BEEN TARGETED:
If your child has already been exposed to grooming, sextortion, bullying, blackmail, predatory contact, trafficking lures, or digital exploitation:
Do not panic publicly.
Do not immediately delete messages.
Do not negotiate with the criminal.
Preserve all evidence.
Remove the child from further contact.
Secure all devices and accounts.
Change passwords.
Notify relevant authorities urgently.
Seek psychological support for the child.
Obtain professional investigative and security assistance where necessary.
Victims and families requiring experienced private investigative, crime intelligence, victim support, or specialist intervention are urged to contact Mr. Mike Bolhuis of Specialised Security Services, together with his highly experienced
Specialist Investigators, for professional guidance, strategic support, and appropriate referral where required.
RELEVANT SSS PROJECT:
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
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