ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke families are being urged to stay alert as police and city schools warn of an alarming rise in online predators targeting children through popular gaming platforms like Roblox and chat apps such as Discord.
A letter released this week by the Roanoke Police Department and Roanoke City Public Schools, highlights the growing risks and calls on parents to play a more active role in monitoring their children’s online activity.
The warning comes as national data shows the CyberTipline received more than 20 million reports of suspected child exploitation in 2024. Police also say the issue is especially urgent during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, noting online abuse and mental health struggles can collide, putting kids at even greater risks…