It’s rare to find a teen these days who has yet to open a Facebook account. Yet, it’s also undeniable that these children put themselves at high risk just by having one. As such, it’s often up to the parents to ensure that their children are kept safe by keeping tabs on their online activity. The children may, at times, resent this, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

One mother proved how beneficial it is to monitor her daughter’s online activity (albeit a little late) when she alerted police to the suspicious messages of a 39-year old man to her daughter. She checked her daughter’s Facebook page and found some ‘inappropriate messages’ exchanged between her daughter and one of their neighbors. Some of the posts were rife with sexual references.

Alarmed, the mother alerted the police and they seized the messages on the victim’s Facebook account. The daughter was then interviewed at the Dove House Child Advocacy Center. She revealed that there were two incidents of sexual assault which occurred within the past six months.

A felony warrant was issued for John O’Neil Joy Jr. for two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. Police searched the area unsuccessfully. Joy finally turned himself in to authorities, and is now being held on $20,000 bond in the Iredell County Jail.

Indeed, this incident proves just how important it is to keep tabs on your children’s Facebook accounts. Be vigilant. If some of the posts and messages on your child’s account arouse suspicion, then go the extra mile and check it out. Better yet, cooperate with your child and stress the importance of transparency when it comes to social networking.