The FBI says less than one percent of all abductions nationwide are truly stranger abductions, and often the predator and victim meet online.
Tom Veivia, FBI special agent in charge, tells FOX CT, "We know statistically when a child disappears there's some sort of a relationship where the victim knows who the abductor is. As a parent we don't ask the question if our children are going to make a bad decision, we have ask the question when is that going to happen."
These days there are lots of places where trouble can start: Facebook, Tumblr, Reddit, Snapchat and more.
Veivia's been solving online crimes since the inception of AOL in 1996.
"The technology changes but the process which predators groom their victims hasn't. It's still the same behavioral pattern," said Veivia.
Often, vulnerable children are cornered on social media, offered a safe space by a friendly stranger with sinister intentions.
"They will engage with the child and they will be that shoulder they can lean on that person that they can trust. Eventually they become a trusted friend which really is what our job as parents should be."
The FBI recommends parents talk to kids about the danger of being sexually exploited online, and monitor their internet use, but that it's important to keep in mind that teens are not always honest about what they're up to. Some even allow their parents to "friend" them, for example, and then establish another hidden space online.
Some tech companies now offer social media monitoring systems that act as a family's personal detective.
Rich Demuro from KTLA reports on how one dad took his daughter's negative online experience and created Zabra. Zabra sends alerts to parents when their children talk to others online about topics deemed inappropriate. The parent can choose the topics, such as bullying, alcohol and drug use, pornography, suicide, sexual abuse, and more.
