ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Johns County leaders are kicking off the school year with a warning for families about digital threats, internet safety and the importance of reporting suspicious behavior.
Sheriff Rob Hardwick sat alongside St. Johns County School District Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen, detectives with the FBI and the sheriff’s office for a conversation about keeping children safe online and in school.
The conversation came a little more than two weeks after an anonymous tip on the Fortify Florida app led to the arrests of two St. Johns County teenagers.
14-year-old Julian Davis and 13-year-old Charles Williams both face charges. Investigators accuse them of planning to commit a robbery after finding homemade guns and explosives, manifesto-style books, and a tactical vest with white supremacist drawings.
But district leaders said threats of violence are not the only concern they are trying to stop, as online extortion involving children has become a major issue in the county.
“This sextortion is just a huge, huge issue,” Asplen said. “Especially when students are, you know, they’re trying to get $100 from a student, or they’re going to show their parents. Students are very embarrassed, and it’s caused some students to take their life.”
County leaders said children as young as 7 have been victims of online predators who use threats and blackmail to target kids.
“This opens our children to the world and opens the world to the children,” Hardwick said.
Now, district leaders are encouraging students and families to continue using Fortify Florida, the state’s anonymous reporting tool.
“Fortify Florida is out there,” Asplen said. “You need to utilize it.”
Safety leaders are also encouraging parents to know what websites, apps and platforms their children use, regularly check their devices, and monitor screen time.
They said those steps can help keep children safe and stop online problems from spilling over into the classroom.
Jason Carley with the FBI said law enforcement will continue doing its part, but parents and guardians also have an important role.
“We’re going to continue to do our part,” Carley said. “But our big piece also to advocate to parents and guardians out there is to have that conversation with your children.”
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