iGuardian Program for Trusted Adults

Project iGuardian® is presented by Homeland Security Investigations, the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. Project iGuardian is designed to inform children, teens, parents, educators, practitioners, social workers, law enforcement and other trusted adults about the risks that children face in the online environment, and to implement preventive strategies while learning how to report suspected abuse.

This engaging presentation covered tactics used by online predators, the growing crime of sextortion, the information devices give away, and the newest apps, online games and social networks children are using. There was example scenarios shared based on local investigations that helped us to better understand how children are victimized online. Online CSEA is a horrific crime that targets some of the most vulnerable people in our communities — our children and teens. It includes a broad range of criminal acts that involve the victimization of a minor for sexual gratification or some other personal or financial gain.

In the last decade, online CSEA has increased exponentially and is now a global epidemic. In 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children — the nation’s clearinghouse for child sexual abuse material — received 36 million reports of child sexual abuse material online, a drastic increase from 2014, when it received 1 million reports. The lack of understanding of online CSEA and increased technology use among children and teens has created space for these crimes to flourish. For too long, our communities have been left on their own when it comes to understanding the online dangers that exist and how to prevent them.

Project iGuardian is the free of charge official in-person educational program for the Know2Protect Campaign. Created by Homeland Security Investigations subject matter experts, the presentation seeks to educate trusted adults about the ongoing threat of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, bring awareness to the issue with an effort to prevent these horrific crimes form continuing, and provide help and resources to those who need it.