Spring Workshops Aim to Help Families Spot Human Trafficking and Online Exploitation
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 Spring recognize these dangers and protect their loved ones.
This spring and summer, Harris County Precinct 3 will host two free public safety workshops on Human Trafficking, Social Media, and Internet Safety at Spring-area community centers. The educational sessions, led by Project Protect Our Children, a Houston-based nonprofit founded by anti-trafficking advocate Denise M. Mears, will be held:
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April 23, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Cactus Jack Cagle Community Center (709 Thornfield Rd, Spring, TX 77373)
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August 22, 2025, at 1:00 PM at George H.W. Bush Community Center (6827 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX 77379)
These sessions are open to the public, and 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."
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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 Mears. "We’re seeing predators reach children through gaming platforms, social media apps, and even educational websites."
The workshops are part of PPOC’s Youth Prevention program, designed to provide parents, guardians, and youth-serving professionals with practical strategies to keep children safe online. Attendees will also learn how to recognize signs of trafficking, including behavioral changes, unexplained absences, tattoos or branding, and online secrecy.
“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.”
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Community involvement in Spring is more important than ever. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, over 65% of trafficking victims were recruited online—often by someone they know, such as a friend, romantic partner, or even a family member. In 2023, Harris County reported 7,471 cases of missing children, which accounted for 27% of all missing child cases in Texas, according to data from The Center for the Missing.
“Every family in Spring 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 events are free, family-friendly, and intended for anyone who wants to help prevent child exploitation and abuse. For those who suspect human trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting “HELP” to 233733.
“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.”
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.
