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With children spending more time online than ever before, the risks of digital exploitation and human trafficking are growing at an alarming rate. Social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps have become tools for predators to reach unsuspecting youth—often without a parent’s knowledge. In response, Harris County Precinct 3 is taking action to help families in Cypress recognize these dangers and protect their loved ones.

This month, Harris County Precinct 3 will host a free public safety workshop on Human Trafficking, Social Media, and Internet Safety at Juergen's Hall Community Center in Cypress on April 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The educational session is presented by Project Protect Our Children, a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to preventing child exploitation through community education, founded by anti-trafficking advocate Denise M. Mears.

The event aims to educate Cypress-area families about how predators use technology to exploit children and how parents, caregivers, and educators can recognize red flags and take preventive action. No registration is required.

"Technology has become a tool for traffickers to access and manipulate our children in ways many families don’t even realize," said Mears. "We can’t stop what we don’t understand. That’s why preventative education is so critical."

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, over 18,400 reports of possible child sex trafficking were made in 2023, and 1 in 6 missing children were likely victims of sex trafficking. With 95% of teens and 40% of children aged 8–12 using social media, the digital landscape has become fertile ground for exploitation.

"Technology is now one of the primary tools traffickers use to target children. We must empower communities with the tools to fight back," said Denise M. Mears, founder of Project Protect Our Children. "We’re seeing predators reach children through gaming platforms, social media apps, and even educational websites."

The workshop is part of PPOC’s Youth Prevention program, which equips families with practical strategies to stay safe online. Attendees will also learn how to identify signs of trafficking in both behavioral and physical indicators.

“Prevention is our best defense,” Mears continued. “When a child knows the signs and feels confident to speak up, we interrupt the cycle before it starts.”

Workshops like this come at a time when community involvement is critical. A 2023 report from the National Human Trafficking Hotline revealed that over 65% of victims were recruited online, often by someone they knew—including intimate partners and even family members. In 2023, Harris County saw 7,471 reports of missing children, according to data from the Center for the Missing, accounting for 27% of all cases in Texas—a staggering number that brings into sharp focus just how vulnerable local children are to exploitation and trafficking.

“Every family in Cypress deserves to know how traffickers operate and what to look for,” Mears said. “We can’t wait until the unthinkable happens—we must get ahead of it.”

The event is free and open to the public. For those who suspect human trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-888-373-7888. 

“These conversations may feel uncomfortable, but creating an informed community is how we protect our kids,” added Mears. “When everyone is watching, predators lose power.” 

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.