As Congress is carrying out impeachment proceedings against Alejandro Mayorkas, the Homeland Security secretary is in New York on Wednesday to announce a new campaign to raise awareness about online exploitation of children.
Mr. Mayorkas unveiled a new website, Know2Protect, which delivers stern warnings about the ease of an adult using digital tools to entice a child into an exploitative relationship.
The campaign suggests parents have conversations with their kids to alert them to dangers and offers strategies for children who are targeted. That includes not blaming the children, saving evidence and contacting authorities.
The department is roping major digital companies into the campaign. Roblox, maker of a game popular with kids, promised to run internet safety ads inside its game, and Google is offering free ad space on Google and YouTube to promote the campaign.
Homeland Security says there were 36 million reports of online child exploitation in 2023, double the number from 2019.
Mr. Mayorkas called the new awareness campaign groundbreaking, and needed.
“The tragic reality is that, as young people spend more time online, predators around the world increasingly target them through manipulation and deceit,” he said.
The GOP-controlled House earlier this year slapped Mr. Mayorkas with the ignominy of becoming the first sitting Cabinet secretary in U.S. history to be impeached.
The Democrat-led Senate is expected to dismiss the case against the secretary, perhaps as early as Wednesday.
Mr. Mayorkas was in Washington on Tuesday to face the very House committee that conducted the impeachment inquiry. He is scheduled to be back on Capitol Hill on Thursday to face a Senate panel.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.