The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office is making parents aware that inappropriate comments and photos have been making its way onto the popular smart phone app known as Instagram. If inappropriate pictures are taken and posted of minors or by minors in Denver, Arapahoe, Adams, or Larimer County, charges of Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CRS 18-6-403) or Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CRS 18-3-405.4) may arise. Comments directed towards underage users or continued communication with minors or children could also result in these charges. Other common internet sex crimes include Internet Luring of a Child (CRS 18-3-306), or Enticement of a Child (CRS 18-3-305), and these crimes may be further aided by the popularity of Instagram among middle school and high school students.

The District Attorney of Jefferson County's Child Sex Offender Internet Investigations Unit is warning parents about a new threat to their children because of the smart phone app known as Instagram. Instagram is a populer social networking site with many users in Weld, and Douglas County that allows users to take pictures with their smart phones, edit and apply different filters or colors to their photo, and upload them. When a person signs up for Instagram and creates a profile, their information is public and able to be accessed by other users who may “follow” them or leave comments. Users then have private pictures available over the network for anyone to see.

It is very important that children do not speak to anyone they do not know over any social networking site like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. It is also important to never post anything that could be misconstrued as inappropriate or suggestive to a juvenile using Instagram.

If you are approached by police because of an internet sex crime involving children, like Sexual Exploitation of a Child, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.