Staying Informed

We are bombarded by news 24/7.  In our fast-pace, sensationalized news environment, it is easy for important stories to become overshadowed by frivolous headlines. So here is some news/information you may have missed.

Closing the Loophole

For 86 years the U.S. has banned the import of goods that have been produced by forced labor.  Sounds good, but there is a loophole! The exception being if we really thought we needed the product we could still import it even if it had been produced by forced labor. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 has done away with the loophole, which will help curb international forced labor. 

Source:   Shutting Offthe Flow of Slave Labor Goods to the U.S. 

Is Your Hospital Checking for Signs of Human Trafficking?

Your local hospital can be on the frontline of stopping human trafficking.  Is it? One report found while being held 88% of sex trafficking victims enter clinics and ERs. Doctors and nurses need to be trained on how to spot and help a victim.  You can help by asking if your hospital is participating in this important training.

Source: Health Care Takes on the Fight AgainstTrafficking?

Project Your Children – Monitor Their Apps

Because of potential safety risks, it is important for parents and guardians to monitor the Apps children are using on their phones.  Jean Turner and Aaron Sheedy pose 5 questions you should be asking.

1.      What is the purpose of the App and why does your child want to use it?

·         Risk: Game friends on Apps are often total strangers. The content also can be mean-spirited or sexually explicit.

2.      Does the App take and share pictures, video or audio?

·         Children can be fooled into posting or being exposed to inappropriate pictures, video, or audio.  

3.      Is the App tracking location information? If yes, why?

·         Apps can broadcast where your children are, which makes it easier for anyone, including strangers, to follow them.

4.      Does the App attempt to be anonymous or secretive?

·         When an App is anonymous children are often more willing to take risk in what they post. They believe no one else will see, even though there is nothing online truly private.  Child offenders often stalk anonymous sites.

5.      Follow the money: Is the App free? Will the App require money or pay money to the user?

·         Risks: Free Apps may contain advertisement that you feel is inappropriate. If you think the App is okay you may want to purchase the App for a small fee (usually around $5) to turn off the advertisements.  Make sure the App doesn’t allow the child to run up a bill on your credit card in order to be able to play games.

You can find more information on what you can do as a parent or guardian by clicking on the link below.

Source: Mobile Applications: Five Questions ParentsCan Ask to Keep Kids Safe