The Nebraska State Patrol is launching a new initiative to alert parents when their children are identified in reports involving sexually explicit content shared online. The effort comes as the NSP Technical Crimes Unit reports an increase in cybertip reports involving minors sharing explicit images of themselves with other children or potential online predators.
The Technical Crimes Unit serves as Nebraska’s central repository for Cyber Tipline reports received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Nebraska is projected to receive more than 7,000 cybertips in 2026.
State Patrol officials say approximately 10% of incoming reports involve minors sharing sexually explicit content of themselves. Under the new initiative, the NSP will send letters directly to parents or guardians when their child is identified in one of those cases.
The letters will summarize the incident, include information about the account involved and provide contact information for parents who have questions. Lt. Peter Rutherford, commander of the Nebraska Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, says the goal is to help parents have important conversations with their children about online safety.
“As parents ourselves, we know that communication and feedback is vital to staying engaged with the children in our households and is essential to keeping them safe at home and online,” Rutherford said.
NSP officials say the letters will give families an opportunity to discuss online behavior and work together to prevent similar incidents. Captain Monty Lovelace, commander of the NSP Technical Crimes Unit, says many of the cases involve children voluntarily sharing explicit images.
“Many of those cases are entirely preventable because they involve a child voluntarily sharing these images online,” Lovelace said. “This proactive effort aims to ensure parents are informed and equipped to address this serious issue, strengthening their ability to keep their children safe online.”
The letters will also include links to educational resources to help parents navigate conversations about online exploitation and protecting their children. Click here for additional resources through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.