AG Wilson Urges Parents to Have “Hard Conversations” with Children on Online and Fentanyl Dangers

As students across South Carolina return to school, Attorney General Alan Wilson is issuing a direct and emotional appeal to parents, urging them to have critical conversations with their children about the dangers they face online and the rising threat of fentanyl. Wilson’s message emphasizes that the greatest risks to a child’s safety may not be in the classroom or on the street, but online, right under their own roof.

“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.”

The Silent Threat of the Internet

Wilson stressed that the modern-day predator operates from behind a screen, targeting children through gaming chats, social media, and direct messages. He warned that children are being groomed and manipulated from the perceived safety of their own bedrooms.

“My warning to parents is this: this can happen even while your child is upstairs in your home,” Wilson said. “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.”

While South Carolina has recently enacted new laws to combat online threats, including the use of artificial intelligence to create child exploitative content, Wilson noted that legislation alone cannot fully protect children. He urged parents to be actively involved in their children’s digital lives.

“Know who your child is talking to. Monitor what they’re looking at. Ask them what they’re doing online,” he advised. Wilson also cautioned parents to look for signs of trouble, stating, “If your child starts to become isolated, withdrawn, or ‘not themselves,’ don’t ignore it.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.”

Parents can find more resources and information from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Fentanyl: A Lethal Disguise

In addition to online dangers, Wilson highlighted the ongoing and pervasive risk of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is being disguised in counterfeit pills and street drugs. He noted that these pills are responsible for a growing number of deaths among young people across the state and the nation.

Wilson’s message was blunt and uncompromising. “If your child takes a pill they didn’t get from a doctor or a trusted adult, they could die. It’s that serious,” he said. “Fentanyl is in everything now—brightly colored pills, fake prescriptions, and it only takes one. One pill can kill.”

Wilson concluded his message with a call to action, providing parents with a list of key steps to take:

• Have open and ongoing conversations with your children about online safety, predators, and peer pressure.
• Actively know who your children are communicating with and what platforms they use.
• Regularly check their devices and establish clear boundaries for technology use.
• Watch for emotional or behavioral changes, such as isolation or secrecy, which could be red flags.
• Discuss the dangers of fentanyl and stress the deadly risks of taking any unprescribed substance.
• Lead by example with healthy digital habits and a focus on mental well-being.