Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Carbondale) | Photo Courtesy of Paul Jacobs website
Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Carbondale) | Photo Courtesy of Paul Jacobs website
Rep. Paul Jacobs warned his constituents of a situation with social media in a Facebook post on Jan. 28.
"An Illinois school has put out a warning to parents about a social media app that could potentially put students in dangerous situations with strangers," Jacobs said.
Illinois School warns parents about the Omegle App that puts students in potential danger.
Recently, a child predator was found guilty of sexually exploiting a young girl using Omegle.
In December, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Indiana announced that an Illinois man, Kyle Peterson was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor. In this case, the victim was a 12-year-old girl, and the news release explains he used Omegle and Snapchat to do it.
These activities started on March 20, 2020, and says that Peterson knew the victim was a child when he began sending sexually explicit videos and pictures, before engaging in video chats that were sexually explicit and directing her to send explicit videos of herself. He then threatened the child when she stopped complying.
U.S. Chief District Judge, Tanya Walton Pratt imposed a 22-year prison sentence, as well as 20 years of supervision by the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years following his release from federal prison. Peterson must also pay $16,000 in restitution to the child victims, and register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works or goes to school, as the law requires.
Jacobs shared additional information about Omegle, and parents were informed of its dangers.
Jacobs was first elected to the Illinois House in 2020. A Republican, their legislative experience includes serving on the Tourism Committee and Higher Education.
Jacobs shared a link to an NBC story on the warning that Mokenna Junior High School was in his Facebook post. Administrators issued a notice to parents last week, and NBC Chicago shared part of the school's statement.
"Omegle does not appear to have powerful moderation," Dr. Mike Rolinitis, the school's principal, wrote in a letter to parents. "It also does not require registration or have age verification, which makes young people a potential target for abuse online."
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