Q: Are there any controls or laws protecting us while we are online with all the social networks on the computers these days? — Kevin from Williamston

A: With all the computer crimes that are being committed, there are laws in place. In the Michigan State Police, we have a Computer Crimes Unit (CCU). There are other police officers as team members for a unit called Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC). Both units investigate computer crimes committed throughout the state, sometimes handling over 10,000 cases a year, with 80 percent of those cases involving child pornography and scams.
As the community services trooper and school liaison, I have taught computer safety classes to K-12, along with teacher in-services and parent groups. Prevention and awareness is the key to keeping everyone safe while online.
Most physical crimes can be committed online also. In 1999, more than 400 of the kidnappings of young people were associated with contact on the computer first. There are enhanced penalties for crimes while using the computer. For instance, the crime of stalking is a one-year misdemeanor. If there is stalking committed on the computer, the penalty is now enhanced to a two-year felony. Using a financial transaction device illegally is a four-year felony. Using a computer to commit the same crime enhances it to a 10-year felony.
MCL 752.796, Computers — Using to Commit a Crime – Maximum Imprisonment of More Than on Year but Less Than Two Years, states: “(a person) did use a computer program, computer, computer system, or computer network to commit, attempt to commit, conspire to commit, or solicit another to commit (1) (Insert name and MCL number of a crime with a maximum term of imprisonment of more than 1 year but less than 2 years). This is a felony punishable by 2 Years in prison and/or $5,000.00; reimburse government for expenses incurred in relation to violation.
MCL 750.145D2F — Computers — Internet — Communicating with Another to Commit Crime — Maximum Imprisonment of 15 Years of More or Life states basically the same except if the underlying crime is a crime with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison to life, the penalty is enhanced with another 20 years in prison.
Parents, are you monitoring what your children are doing online? Adults, are you aware of the websites you are visiting? Many of them may be scams. If you are unsure of a website, do not open the site — there could be a virus attached.
Again, prevention and awareness is the key to keeping ourselves and our children safe.
Email your questions to Trooperrob53@Yahoo.Com.