As students across South Carolina begin a new school year, Attorney General Alan Wilson has issued a public appeal to parents, urging them to discuss the dangers of the internet and fentanyl with their children.
“This is not just a back-to-school message. This is a wake-up call,” said Attorney General Wilson. “You are your child’s first and strongest line of defense. The threats kids face today — online predators, violent content, deadly drugs — are silent, invisible, and often go unnoticed until it’s too late.”
Wilson emphasized that online predators often use gaming chats, social media apps, and direct messages to target children from within their own homes. He warned parents about the risk of grooming and manipulation by individuals who may pose as friends or peers.
“My warning to parents is this: this can happen even while your child is upstairs in your home. You could be sitting on the couch, and your child is being targeted by someone pretending to be a friend, a peer, or someone they trust,” Wilson warned.
The state has recently enacted new laws aimed at combating online threats such as the use of artificial intelligence to create and distribute exploitative child sexual abuse material. However, Wilson noted that legislation alone cannot protect children from harmful online interactions.
“Know who your child is talking to. Monitor what they’re looking at. Ask them what they’re doing online. If your child starts to become isolated, withdrawn, or ‘not themselves,’ don’t ignore it. These could be signs they’re being groomed or targeted.”
Wilson also addressed the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl—a synthetic opioid that has been found in counterfeit pills and other street drugs—warning that even one pill can be fatal for young people.
“If your child takes a pill they didn’t get from a doctor or a trusted adult, they could die. It’s that serious,” Wilson said. “Fentanyl is in everything now—brightly colored pills, fake prescriptions, and it only takes one. One pill can kill.”
Wilson encouraged parents to stay vigilant regarding both their children’s online activities and potential exposure to dangerous substances.
